Church of the Holy Advent, Clinton, CT
Priest-in-Charge Search – Parish Self Study
We are a parish and a welcoming community in the ECCT…
…..of theological imagination
…..fed by Word and sacrament
…..forming disciples and apostles in God’s mission
…..and connected to the wider body of Christ
How are we living into each area of this definition?
An overwhelming number of us feel proud of our efforts in imagining and building the “Food for All Garden,” located on property. The Garden was conceived, built, and inspired by God’s Word as a ministry to support the less fortunate in our community. We want to continue this ministry as well as other local outreach efforts. This is the primary ministry at Holy Advent that wins hearts and souls to God’s will. At the same time, there is a desire to help fund international efforts (such as farm animal purchases) that are also important in making the world a better place.
While Word and sacrament inspire our outreach efforts, we also have a desire to further our understanding of scripture. Towards this end, members have expressed an interest in Bible Study programs. We anticipate that such programs be concise, presented to pique the interest of parishioners and geared toward today’s world. This may require planning that accounts for the time boundaries imposed by work and family responsibilities.
We believe that community service is our strength and we would like to continue to grow and expand on it. We hope to add community-focused activities that may attract new families. Looking to the future we are considering blood drives, art exhibits in our Parish Hall, and even ‘Monthly Socials’. We would love to see a monthly Social that combine teens and the elderly – populations that are sometimes missing in Church settings.
We are proud of our current music programs, which are open to the public and will be continued and expanded. They include organ and choir support during worship, including special music for Palm Sunday, Easter and the annual Service of Lessons and Carols. Additional concerts featuring string quartets, vocal soloists, and organ recitals have supported the Food For All Garden.
In which area(s) are we strongest and why?
Our biggest strength is in our nucleus of faithful and loyal parishioners who step up and get things done when the need is there. Holy Advent has a history dating back to 1875 with strong and enthusiastic individuals and clergy who pulled us through many difficult times. We are blessed with sound, well cared for physical facilities - a Church building, Parish Hall and Rectory. About thirteen years ago, the overgrown, neglected rear two acres behind the Parish Hall were converted into the very productive and very diversified Food For All Garden. Today it is professionally operated by local volunteers who give more than 1500 hours each year, with the goal of supplying the Shoreline Food Pantry with an abundance of fresh produce each week during the growing season. Last year’s harvest was more than 4.5 tons (9500 lbs.), plus a compliment of flowers donated to Food Pantry clientele, giving them equal doses of dignity and help with a smile.
Over the course of many years, we have had local and refugee families in need housed in our Rectory when it was vacant. This has been highly successful in giving them a ‘head start’ and they have been good stewards of the property. Some of the families have achieved great independence in their lives, as well as success in new careers. Parishioners who worked with the families say that it was the hardest they have ever worked in their church lives, but that it was a tremendously rewarding and galvanizing experience for all.
Which area is the biggest challenge for us and why?
Our biggest challenge is in growing our numbers and attracting new families. An incoming PIC should be fully aware of our need to work towards this goal and gear his/her actions accordingly. While we are a “graying” Parish (75% over age 65), we are a well-educated one too. Parishioners are clear that the content of Holy Advent programs is the single most important driver of their participation in the Church. As programs are added they would best be topical and created by “thinking outside the box”. Consideration should be given to such options as an Evening Prayer or Evensong service on Saturday or Sunday in the late afternoon. Given the proliferation of youth activities on Sunday mornings, it is hard for Holy Advent, like many religious organizations, to compete for the attention of young families in our community.
How do we see our next PIC helping us to live more fully into this definition?
Our next PIC will need visibility in the community, deliver thought provoking and challenging sermons, and take the time for home and/or office visits to better get to know Parishioners. The PIC, as well as Holy Advent, might gain extra traction with a bigger social media presence. We need to attract new members and engage them. It seems that many prospective Parishioners (as well as formerly active ones) have embraced the remote or hybrid working experience, to some extent become complacent, and need to be coaxed back into spiritual involvement in many different ways.
