Church of Our Saviour

Welcome to the Church of Our Saviour webpage.

OFFICE HOURS: Wednesdays 9:00am to 1:00pm and Fridays 9:00am to 12:30pm

WHO WE ARE-CLERGY AND STAFF:
The Reverend Audrey Scanlan, Rector
Audrey came to the partner parishes in December, 2006. Formerly, she had served as Curate at Trinity Episcopal Church in Torrington from 2004-2006 and as seminarian intern there from 2002-2004. Ordained to the priesthood in 2004, Audrey attended Berkeley Divinity School graduating with a diploma in Anglican studies, and a Masters of Divinity from Yale Divinity School. Previously, Audrey completed graduate studies at Central Connecticut State University in Elementary Education and received her undergraduate degree in psychology in 1980 from Wheaton College (MA). Audrey’s ministry has included the breadth of parish ministry: she has led pilgrimage groups to North Dakota and Nova Scotia, directed Christian Education programs, created a monthly Women’s Evening and has worked with older adults in pastoral relationships. While at Trinity, Audrey spearheaded two important programs- Operation Overflow, an interfaith emergency shelter for the homeless; and Rhythms of Grace, a monthly worship service for children with special needs and their families. Audrey serves on the Bishop’s Fund for Children as Secretary. She has represented Connecticut at national church conferences on children, was on the design team of the 2005 festival ‘Take Me to the Water’ and co-designed the diocesan celebration “Come as a Child” in 2005. Audrey lives in Collinsville with her husband Glenn, and their three children; Emma, William and Harriet.

The Reverend Robert Watson, Priest Associate
Father Watson came to the Partner Parishes in December 2000. Prior to that time, after his retirement in 1994, Father Watson served as Interim Rector at several churches in Connecticut. He attended the University of New Hampshire where in 1953, he earned at BA degree in languages. While attending Berkeley Divinity School in New Haven, CT, he served on the staff at Camp Washingtion and assisted at St. James Church, Fair Haven, CT. On June 6, 1956, Father Watson graduated from Berkeley and was ordained to the Priesthood in June 1957. During the ensuing years, he served as Rector of St. Mary's Church, Enfield, CT; Bishop Seabury Church, Groton, CT and finally, St. Christopher's Church in Maryland until his retirement. Upon retirement, Father Watson and his wife Georgia returned to Connecticut. She died just prior his joining the Partner Parishes. Father Watson resides in Convenant Village, Cromwell, CT.

The Reverend Doreen Bottone, Deacon

Noreen Neuhausser, Organist
Laurie Barnhart, Partner Parish Secretary

WORSHIP
Services:
Holy Eucharist is celebrated each Sunday at 10:30 am.
Church School for school aged children and the Nursery are held during the first part of the service.
The Sacrament of Healing and Birthday Prayers are offered on the First Sunday of the month.
Rhythms of Grace II, a special needs service, is also held on the third Sunday of the month at 1 PM. Please call for more information.
A mid-week service of Holy Eucharist is held on Wednesdays at Noon.
Church of Our Saviour uses Rite Two (contemporary language) of the Book of Common Prayer in the worship during most of the church year. Rite One (traditional language) is offered during the season of Lent.
Our worship space and classrooms are handicapped accessible and have a handicapped accessible restroom available.

Music:
Church of Our Saviour has a small but spirited choir that sings each Sunday under the direction of organist, Ms. Noreen Neuhausser. An offertory anthem is featured most weeks, and the choir leads the congregation in the musical portions of the service. Hymns are selected from The Hymnal, 1982; Lift Every Voice and Sing, and the New Century Hymnal. The choir rehearses on Sunday mornings at 9:30. All are welcome to join.

Lay Assistants:
Lectors, Intercessors, Chalice Bearers and Acolytes all serve important roles in the liturgical life of our parish. If you would like to join the corps of lay assistants, please speak to the Rector. Training is conducted individually.

Altar Guild:
The sanctuary, altar and its appointments are cared for by a devoted group at Church of Our Saviour, led by Carolyn Bouchard. Linen care, laundering, polishing and light housekeeping in the church is performed on a rotating basis to keep the House of the Lord in sparkling condition. If you feel called to serve the church in this way, please contact Carolyn Bouchard or the Rector.

FORMATION
Christian Formation is a life-long process and Church of Our Saviour offers programs for Children and Adults.
Children:
The Church School runs during the school year in a ‘one room schoolhouse’ setting, where the older students assist the younger, and a sense of Christian community is fostered. Volunteer teachers work in pairs to teach the classes and care for our youngest. Teaching dates are selected by each pair of teachers, so there is flexibility in volunteer commitment. At Church of Our Saviour, we understand that all of the congregation is called to care for its youngest parishioners; teachers are both parents and others who have an interest in serving in this ministry. The lessons are from a curriculum called "Seedlings".
On the 3rd Sunday of the month, Church of Our Saviour hosts Rhythms of Grace II, a service for special needs children and their families at 1:00. This service combines story telling, music and movement, arts and crafts and communion. For more information about his program, please contact the Rector. All are welcome at this very sacred and special time. For the Rhythms of Grace brochure, Click Here.

Adults:
Tuesday Scripture Study is held for the partner parishes at Saint Gabriel’s. This informal study that considers the lessons for the upcoming Sunday is led by Fr. Watson and begins with a brown bag lunch at noon.
Seasonal programs for adults are led by the Rector. Past offerings include, a Lenten study focused on The Lives of American Saints, a six week study called “Believing and Belonging, the Basics of the Episcopal Church Life and Worship”, the Gospel of Matthew: Christology, Eschatology; and an Advent series, "Finding Stillness: Open your Hearts and Hope." Please speak to the Rector with programming interests and ideas.
The Daughters of the King have an active chapter at the partner parishes. This group is devoted to prayer, study and service. They meet monthly on Saturday mornings. For more information, speak to Carolyn Bouchard, or the Rector.

OUTREACH
Church of Our Saviour tithes the proceeds of its fund raisers to causes in the community, nationally and internationally. The Plainville Food bank receives monetary support and a weekly collection of groceries from the parish. The Bishop’s Fund for Children (CT) is supported through its mite boxes and in the annual 5 K run, and The Church of Jerusalem, through the UTO, is the recipient of the Good Friday collection.
Annually, a soup and sandwich luncheon is held to benefit the Plainville Fuel Bank. This year, 2007, we collected more than $500.00 at this event!
The annual Holiday Fair, held in November, features the work of the “Crafty Ladies” and 10% of its proceeds are given to those in need, as well as money collected from the annual Giant Tag Sale in May.
Church of Our Saviour is host to weekly AA groups, NA group and Girl Scout meetings and a monthly meeting of the Retired State Employees.

PARISH LIFE
The partner parishes enjoy a good party and fellowship activities! Church of Our Saviour hosts a pasta dinner every year near St. Joseph’s day in March. Homemade sauce, ziti, salad, bread and Italian pastries make for a delicious meal. Once a month a pancake breakfast is held before worship for a free will offering.
The Crafty Ladies meet on Mondays during the year and prepare small handwork items for the Holiday Fair.
The homebound are cared for by monthly eucharistic visitors, laypeople who administer the sacrament to those unable to attend church services.

CONTACT US
By mail: 115 West Main Street Plainville, CT 06062
By phone: (860) 747-3109
By email: Click Here

OFFICERS AND VESTRY
Wayne E. Pyle, Sr. Warden
Linda McKnight, Jr. Warden
Laurie Myska, Treasurer
Barbara Pyle, Clerk
Vestry Members:
Susan Livingston, Bernie Baker, Hank Lepore,
Letitia Frey & Foster White