First Congregational Church, Washington, Connecticut
Friday, December 25th, 2009
Almost every town in New England has one of these traditional Congregational churches and while they look great in daylight they also look great lit up at night. The coldness of New England winter and the traditional white exterior offset the warmth of candle-lit windows.
I’m not a Christian nor do I belong to this church but churches like this one are like wormholes back through American history and as such, I’m both fascinated by them and feel moved when I’m inside them.
It’s been a tradition in our family to go to the late Christmas Eve service at this church to both sing and hear Reverend Cheryl Anderson deliver a "Christmas meditation" (better known as a sermon). If this church is a wormhole back through American history Cheryl acts as a tour guide or facilitator helping those of us who come on Christmas eve to understand the Christmas story in a larger context and connect it to everyday ideas. I almost always come away from her sermons thinking which is just what she wants. She’s quite an amazing person and my entire family hasn’t missed one of her Christmas eve sermons in over ten years.
Richard, I’m very thankful I was there with you again, and it sure was a fine experience, especially nice singing carols with those who gathered there for this annual event (even though I’m not much of a singer!). Cheryl’s talk on optimism vs. pessimissm was clear and very fitting on that day of celebration with family and friends. You did very well capturing the angles of the church’s architecture at night.
I agree Gary, a very nice night and I’m glad you were there. Neither of us burned down the church either.