ARC Forum on Faith

Rev. Ryan Gackenheimer

FORUM ON FAITH

A little Guinea Pig Kindness goes a long way.

Rev. Ryan Gackenheimer

Published: February 18, 2023

Danbury News Times

Our home is a small zoo. We have 2 larger dogs, a Russian tortoise, and we had 3 guinea pigs; along with two pastor parents and an 8-year-old son. My sharing begins with the sad transition from 3 guinea pigs to 2 guinea pigs.

We adopted Cinnamon, Apple, Donut early in the pandemic from an animal rescue just across the line in New York. The guinea pigs grew from the size of large hamsters to big guinea pigs.

They have a huge 2 story enclosure with room to roam, sleep, play, eat, and enjoy guinea life. I noticed when cleaning their enclosure each day that Donut was not rushing over for food and being his normal playful curious self. We kept on an eye on him and took him to the doctor. My spouse ended up feeding him a special mix of food from a syringe for almost 2 weeks. And sadly, Donut still passed.

This loss was devastating for our son. He had lost a fish before, but this was the first life he had loved, could hold, would play with him, and recognized him, to die. The loss cut deep. The tears flowed regularly.

Being people of faith, and both clergy, we have had many conversations with him about death. Conversations about saying good-bye to those we love. While he could articulate his loss and his confidence Donut was with God, the hurt lingered.

He shared at school that his guinea pig died and that he was sad. That evening we received a text from a parent that her son, a classmate of our son, was having trouble falling asleep. He too was upset. He had suffered the loss of some pets and wanted to do something for our son who was now mourning.

The mom of the classmate asked if he could do something to support our son. We said of course, so plans were made to meet at the local coffee shop the following Saturday. When we gathered, the classmate and friend brought our son a rainbow colored stuffed animal guinea pig, and silver colored guinea pig necklace.

What an amazing gesture of kindness from the heart and mind of a 7-year-old young man! Our son gets up every morning and puts on the necklace and just before bed asks for help to take it off. The most commonly heard phrase at our house is, I brought Donut, meaning he brought the stuffed animal in the car, down to the couch from his bedroom, up to his room for bed, or wherever we are going.

The necklace and stuffed animal are beautiful gifts. And I believe they are something more.

They are symbols of compassion. Of kindness. Of Empathy. Of connecting with someone who is hurting.

To me this seems so fundamental to our faith. My faith tradition is Christian, and I believe mostall faiths call us to this kind of compassion. I believe God is with us in our moments of joy and celebration and God cries for us and cries with us in those moments of loss or heartbreak.

Not everyone is 8 years old and has lost a pet, to know that kind of emotion. But most of us have lost a loved one at some point in our journey. Didn't you long for someone to offer compassion? To find a way to comfort you, whether it was through a thoughtful word, a kind card, a well-timed phone call, meaningful gesture, or simply a hug.

Our young folks get it. They understand when someone is hurting and find ways to care for one another.

I believe God is love. And if God is love, then we are called to support one another. We are called to offer kindness to others. To people you know who are hurting, and also to the stranger.

To some it might seem like such a small thing losing a pet. And to others it might be just as life changing as it is for our son. And regardless of how this example finds you, I think there is something we can all relate to in the need for compassion and care from others.

We can also take the lead from a 7-year-old classmate that we can all find ways to s share God's Love, to offer hope to those who are hurting, to bring God's Peace into the world, and to simply be present for those around us.

Rev. Ryan Gackenheimer is pastor at the First Congregational Church of Bethel, United Church of Christ. Pastor@FirstChurchBethel.org

John Dischinger

FORUM ON FAITH

Feed and Serve the Hungry.

John Dischinger

Published: February 4, 2023

Danbury News Times

Throughout the course of my 40-year career, I have had the opportunity and blessing to visit or work in 23 countries around the world. While working in the technology sector with IBM and Digital Equipment Corporation, I focused most of my efforts on the development of global supply chains. This work allowed me to spend considerable time in countries across Europe, Asia and Latin America. In the past 10 years, I have served as a pastor with Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, CT. In one of my roles as the global missions pastor, I visited and worked in a number of developing countries, such as Cambodia, Bangladesh, Rwanda and The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In all my travels and interactions, I have come to the conclusion that where there is much needed but little to have, little is wasted. On the other hand, where there is plenty to have, often plenty is wasted. A great example of this is the food we discard from our plates in the U.S. every day. When I was in India, Bangladesh, the DRC and Rwanda, I rarely if ever saw a plate get set aside that was half full and never saw a plate with food still on it thrown away.

My Jesus talked a lot about food and feeding those who are hungry. He also spoke about doing all things with a heart to serve others and not ourselves. He not only spoke about it, but He also demonstrated it over and over. At one point, He fed more than 5,000 hungry people who gathered to hear Him teach rather than send them home hungry (Matthew 14:13-21).

We don"t have to travel to the communities and streets of Cambodia, Bangladesh or the DRC to see the hungry. We need only look right here in our own communities of Danbury, Bethel, Brookfield and NewMilford.

Feeding the hungry and serving others are what I believe we are called to do. If you come to Walnut Hill"s Bethel Campus on the second or fourth Wednesday afternoon of any month, you will see acommunity of more than 100 committed volunteers who gather regardless of the weather or conditions to help distribute food to more than 600 families. These volunteers are not only from our church but also from other churches, local businesses, schools and community groups. If you ask any of them why they are there, a common answer will be "because this is what we are called to do."

Now that I am in my late 60s, I can look around and see that we are a world that continues to be hungry and starving. But I also believe that this hunger extends way beyond the physical dimension of an empty refrigerator or an empty cabinet. We are surrounded by a hunger for community, acceptance and a simple word of encouragement. There is a hunger for peace and sensibility.

I believe we are not only called to feed the hungry with actual bread but also emotional and spiritual bread. We need to lift our eyes up from our phones and look around. We are called to introduce ourselves to the lonely neighbor and visit the elderly shut-in down the street. We are called to give an encouraging word instead of a harsh response to the clerk behind the counter. We are called to be a friend to those with a disability or special need. We are called to serve at a food pantry, homeless shelter or local school.

One of Jesus' final conversations was with his good friend and follower Peter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. After asking Peter if he truly loves Him, Jesus commands Peter to feed His sheep (John 21:15-19). I believe Jesus was not speaking about real sheep in this context but rather people, and He was not referencing the state of physical hunger here but rather spiritual hunger that comes with loneliness, a broken heart, isolation, separation or self-absorption.

Feed and serve the hungry. This is what we are called to do and what the world needs now.

John Dischinger, Pastor, Walnut Hill Community Church, 156 Walnut Hill Rd., Bethel, CT 06801

Jackie Elan

FORUM ON FAITH

A new year, new beginnings, new courses.

Jackie Elam

Published: January 7, 20232:34 PM 2/3/2023

Danbury News Times

Forum on Faith - The Charted Course.

A time of making resolutions, resetting live, and starting anew. As we go into the planning season when many are making vision boards and holding strategic planning sessions, why not look to the One who has already laid out your plan? The groundwork has been done from the very foundation of the world.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) states, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."'

Let"s explore the ABC's of faith: Accept, Believe, and have Confidence. There are many stories in the bible where God charted, or predestined, courses that we can draw upon for guidance and encouragement. I chose a few familiar ones that will hopefully provide inspiration as you navigate this new year.

Abraham ACCEPTED the call from God.

In Genesis 12 Abram (later given the name Abraham in Chapter 17) is given an assignment from God. Abram had a tough decision to make. He was told to leave his family and go to a foreign land. Notice that the Lord's plan for Abram was not there was much to be learned and he hit a few wrong decisions, but stayed focused and on course. Because of that, he experienced the good success as promised. "Abram accepted the call from God and became known as the Father of Many Nations".

Noah BELIEVED and put his trust in God.

Most are familiar with the story of Noah and the ark. God gave very specific instructions to Noah concerning the arc. Precisely how to build it, who to bring with him into the ark, and exactly which birds and animals to include. All Noah had to do was to follow the carted course to experience success. Noah believed God and put his trust in Him by doing as instructed, "Noah did everything just as God commanded him" (Genesis 6:22). Noah's family was spared, he lived a full life to the age of 950, and the earth was populated through him. Through high winds and water, Noah's belief allowed the ark and its contents to safely remain on course and prevail through the flood.

Caleb proceeded with CONFIDENCE.

Caleb is introduced for the first time on Numbers 13:6 was one of twelve who was sent to spy out the promised land of Canaan. Of the twelve, only two gave a favorable report of being able to conquer the land - Caleb and Joshua. Caleb exhibited confidence because he was following the course that God had established for them. They were to inherit the Promised Land. He understood that God's plan would prevail. It was solid prosperous, and assured success (Numbers 14:7 -9).

Even through the people's bickering, moaning, and death threats, Caleb accepted the challenge, believed that God would deliver the Promised Land to His people, and proceeded with confidence. So let's remember that the course has already been charted. The foundation has been set. It is already done in Heaven and is waiting to be manifested here on Earth, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." You may hit a few roadblocks, bumps, and curves, but you will not be derailed.

As you plan how to kick off the new year, consult the One who wfants to prosper you. The One who will give you hope. The One who promises a successful future. Answer the call by accepting the task. Believe that God in there for you every step of the way. He is an ever-present help in our time of trouble (Psalm 46:0). For me, as a Christian, I aspire to proceed with bold confidence of Philippians 1:6 which states, "being confident of this very thing, that he who as begun a god work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."

Happy New Year and may God bless each and every one of you! Keep God first in all that you do. jackie.i@saltlightct.org or saltlightministries8@gmail.com

John Dischinger, Pastor Walnut Hill Community Church

Rev. Father Dunn

FORUM ON FAITH

God Calls the Unlikely.

Rev. Father Dunn

Published: December 17, 2022

Danbury News Times

When I told my family I was thinking about becoming a Priest, they all laughed. They thought I was joking. Afterall, I wasn't very holy, had many girlfriends, was a life-long stutterer, and never mentioned any interest in the Priesthood before. I can't blame them for laughing, for I was the most unlikely candidate for the Priesthood.

When I was 24 years old, everything was going great in my life. I had a job counseling troubled teens and was going for my masters in counseling. I had a nice girlfriend and just bought a new car. A friend and I were planning to get and share an apartment or condo. I would say I had it all, but I just wasn't happy. I wasn't at peace and didn't know why.'

Out of the blue, a friend of mine told me about a pilgrimage to Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina that he and his sister were going on and they wanted me to join them. Supposedly Mary, the Mother of God, was appearing to children in this town and people were claiming that many miracles were taking place there. I wasn't very religious at the time, and never went on a pilgrimage before, but it sounded interesting- maybe I would see or experience something supernatural! A couple days before the trip, my friend and his sister pulled out of the trip and I was going to do the same, but then my parents decided to take their spots. Just what I wanted to do- go on a pilgrimage with my parents. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents dearly, but you know what it's like to be 24.

On this pilgrimage I didn't see or experience anything supernatural, but something about the place was so peaceful and powerful. At one point on a mountain I prayed, "God why am I not happy and what do you want me to do with my life?" Later on, I had the urge to go to confession - which was surprising because I hadn't confessed my sins to a Priest in quite some time. I looked for a Priest who spoke English, and unloaded all my sins on him. After confessing I started thinking, "Does God even know I'm here, and how can He love me with all these sins?" Suddenly, this priest I never met before said, "Michael, God loves you and is so happy you're here." What?! Was he a mind reader and how did he know my name?! I was filled with such indescribable peace and joy, it felt like a miracle was taking place inside me. I was walking on air the rest of the day.

After returning home I lost interest in everything. All I could think about was God and the Catholic faith I was brought up in. After consulting with my local priest for a while, I decided to look into the Priesthood and tell my "laughing" family. I entered the Seminary with both apprehension and many fears- that is, I was just a regular guy, not very holy, and did I really want to go back to school for 5 more years (I wasn't a great student either)? Also, first and foremost, I was a severe and lifelong stutterer-how can I get up in front of large crowds and preach?! In the Old Testament Scriptures there's a story about how God spoke through a donkey that was owned by a man named Balaam. I thought, this being true, maybe He can speak through me.

God came through and helped me conquer and overcome all my worries and fears. I learned that wherever He calls you, He'll give you what you need. With God's grace and help, we can do or accomplish anything. I also realized that His plan is, not just for Him to accomplish His purpose, but for your happiness and joy. I believe that God deeply loves all of us and has a plan for us all. I've been a Priest for 28 years and am now the Pastor of the Parish I grew up in- St. Gregory the Great in Danbury. Back in the day if someone told me that I would one day be the Pastor here, I would have laughed too. Indeed, God calls the unlikely.

Rev. Father Dunn, Pastor, St. Gregory the Great Parish, 85 Great Plain Road, Danbury CT 06811 - 203 797-0222