St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church

Welcome to the St. Gabriel's Church Website.

OFFICE HOURS:Tuesday 9:00am to 1:00pm and Thursday 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 the 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

Sharon Bishop, Altar Guild
Laurie Barnhart, Partner Parish Secretary

WORSHIP
Normal Service:
Holy Eucharist is celebrated each Sunday at 8:30 AM and features hymns and an organ prelude and postlude. It is a Rite II service of Holy Eucharist.
Church School is held during the 8:30 AM service for children ages 5-18.

The Sacrament of Healing is offered on the third Sunday of the month.

Our worship space, parish hall and restrooms are handicapped accessible.

Lay Assistants:
Lectors, Intercessors, and Chalice Bearers all serve important roles in our worship together. Please speak to the Rector if you are interested in serving in these roles.

Altar Guild:
This faithful corps cares for our worship space and its accoutrements, prepares the church for services and provides for floral arrangements on the altar. Pairs of altar guild members serve on a monthly rotation. Please let us know if you feel called to serve the church and our Lord in this way.

FORMATION

Children:
The Church School uses the Episcopal Children's Curriculum and is directed by Lori Freeland. There are three multi-age classes that meet when the public school is in session. This year the oldest group will travel to Saint John the Divine in NYC for the Nightwatch program, a giant Episcopalian Teen Slumber Party in the world's largest Gothic Cathedral.

Adults:
Regular Adult Formation activities include the Tuesday Scripture Study program held at Saint Gabriel's and facilitated by Fr. Watson. This group joins for a brown bag lunch at noon before their study. Other formation activities include the regular monthly meeting of the Daughters of the King and seasonal offerings from the Rector. In the recent past, classes have been offered on "Believing and Belonging- the basics of the Episcopal Church" "The Gospel of Matthew: Ecclesiology, Christology and Eschatology", and an Advent program titled "Finding Stillness: Open your Heart and Hope".

OUTREACH

Saint Gabriel's participates enthusiastically in preparing food baskets during the holidays for those in need, in a toy drive for families at Christmas, knitting caps and scarves for the Seaman's Church Institute, knitting hats for newborns in the hospital, in the Bishop's Fund for Children 5K in May, and most recently in volunteering at Church Street Eats, the Cathedral Soup Kitchen. Our Deacon, the Reverend Doreen Bottone is leading the community in a Mission Discernment Process to pray about our next endeavor.

PARISH LIFE

Fellowship at Saint Gabriel's centers around the table and its gift of hospitality.

The annual Epiphany Dinner on January 6 is the signature event of the year that features Prime Rib, butternut squash soup, gourmet salad and vegetables and the annual flaming plum pudding! The dinner is preceded by a Service of Lessons and Carols.

Other hospitality events include the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and potlucks through the year.

CONTACT US

By mail: 68 Main Street PO Box 275 East Berlin, CT 06023 By phone: (860) 828 3735 By email: Click Here.

OFFICERS AND VESTRY
Elizabeth Tamiso, Senior Warden
Jenny Berthiaume, Junior Warden
Gerry Berthiaume, Treasurer
Nancy Dowty, Clerk
VESTRY MEMBERS
Mary Kotak, Holly Lee, Paula Paige, Bob Rustico, Ann Lea and Ron Lamontagne

FELLOWSHIP ACTIVITIES
Daughters of the King
Parish Dinners
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Twelfth Night Celebration
The Annual Partner Parish Picnic
Weekly Bible Study Class
After Service Coffee Hour

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
United Thank Offering
The Central Deanery
Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts
Bishop's Fund for Children
Berlin Food Pantry

The Mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ...through the ministry of all its members.