The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
First Church celebrating new vision in 350th year
“Mom, can we please stay a little longer in church?”
Turns out, if you ask a couple of 10and 11-year-olds to shoot confetti cannons from the upper balconies down into a full church sanctuary, you can’t get them to leave!
Why the joyous, noisy and colorful celebration? First Church of Middletown just completed the commitment phase of its capital campaign, raising an astounding $630,000 in pledges to be donated by supporters over the next three years, surpassing the original goal of $550,000.
You may know First Church as the Gothic revival church on Court Street, the church across the street from Klekolo World Coffee, or the church that is just a little off Main Street. Step inside the building and you will find a gathering of curious, courageous, and compassionate people who share many connections while on their individual faith journeys.
Celebrating its 350th year as a vibrant congregation, First Church of Middletown is embracing a progressive vision focused on nourishing the congregation, growing the idea of church, energizing youth programs, and reaching out in the community.
The Rev. Julia Burkey reflects on the meaning of the campaign: “We are at a special moment in our history where we have visioned what it means to be church at all, why we gather, what we are up to together. Even more than the money we raised, we have amplified the spirit of love and community during this campaign, and I could not have asked for a better outcome: to increase joy and to BE church together.”
The $630,000 raised will support these vision projects already under way:
• The 50 year-old Austin pipe organ is receiving a tune-up this summer.
• Youth minister intern and Yale Divinity graduate student Mahogany Thomas has led children’s worship, Vacation Bible School since 2017. She and Julia Burkey are shepherding teen initiates through a two-year Initiation into Adulthood program.
Work on other projects will begin soon on the 1872 building to improve the comfort and beauty of the magnificent building:
• Smarter use of interior space (configuration, carpeting, seating)
• Improved accessibility for all, into and throughout the building
• Preservation of exterior stained-glass windows and trim
• Improve flexibility for use of the sanctuary as an art and performance space
Over the past year, First Church has hosted or co-sponsored several community and arts events, including:
• Interfaith dinners with Artists for World Peace
• Living Well Wellness Workshops (with the expertise of various local teachers and vendors)
• Performances by Ekklesia dance company, Bread and Puppet Theater of Vermont (with ARTFARM), and The Harlem String Quartet (with Russell Library).
First Church was established as a congregation in 1668. Much is owed to the minds and hands that began meeting as church community so long ago. The new vision embodies a pledge to honor the past, while providing securely for the spiritual nourishment of future generations and for the enrichment of the wider community of Middletown.
First Church is an open and affirming congregation. Worship is held in the sanctuary at 190 Court St. For information, visit firstchurchmiddletown.org.