Planting seeds of hospitality to grow a church

NORTH CANAAN — Community members who came to a ham and bean supper hosted by Christ Covenant Church on Saturday, Oct. 12, were welcomed by the Rev. Robert Fredrickson and invited to become part of the newly planted worship community.

Nearly 40 attended the fundraising event to benefit the new Anglican church, which is renting their sanctuary at 9 Granite Ave., formerly the worship home of Christ Church. In addition to supper, there was a raffle of donated gift baskets and music provided by the Grace Life Worship Team of Torrington.

The fundraising event, in the words of Fredrickson, was intended to “help us get started.”  The pastor and his wife, Kathy, arrived in July and had no one to start with, except a couple of members who had attended the old Granite Avenue church in the past.

The purpose of the supper was to introduce their church into the community, Fredrickson said. A further purpose of the supper that launched an initial fundraising effort was to try to raise funds to pay for the utilities at the church, and with winter coming on, to anticipate expenses for heat.

The new church is affiliated with the Anglican Catholic Church, reporting to a diocesan bishop, head of the Diocese of the Resurrection, located in Ansonia, Conn. 

Fredrickson said that he was ordained in 2003 at age 45.  He has served various chaplaincies, also working as a full-time priest, and assisting the homeless and veterans.

“My call was to be among the people to help people,” Fredrickson said. “Kathy and I chose North Canaan; we love the community; we love the area. We hope to retire here.” 

Raffle items were donated by Stop & Shop, Ford Farm and Freund’s Farm, Fredrickson said.

Christ Covenant Church worships on Sundays at 10 a.m.; Morning Prayer is offered daily at 9 a.m.