SHARON — After a diligent search for just the right minister with just the right qualities, the United Methodist Church of Sharon and the United Methodist Church of Lakeville called the Rev. Dr. Anna Crews Camphouse to serve jointly the two growing congregations. Her service began officially on Saturday, July 1.
Rev. Camphouse and her husband, David, who has served as Pastor in Methodist Church programs in Alabama and California, have moved to Sharon’s Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center, where he was named Director as of January, 2023, looking forward to imaginative expansion to serve that constituency of summer campers and adult retreat programs in conjunction with the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ.
Pausing for conversation on Friday, Aug. 4, shortly before Rev. Camphouse left for a Chicago conference, the couple shared their enthusiasm for the work that stood before them as well as the area towns that have become home. Both bring exuberance and imagination to their positions within their communities.
“It is an interesting topic,” Rev. Camphouse said when asked about dwindling church attendance trends, sensing a shift in community centeredness. In the mid-20th century, she noted, the center of community was found in the churches. She also sees a shift from feeling connected to one’s local community in favor of a wider arena of involvement, the internet responsible for more globalized thinking.
“Why go to church?” was the question, and the shift away from attendance was the answer.
“People are still spiritual, but not religious,” she said. With the trend came inability to connect and a tendency toward division, many people living with anger or apathy. “It can be overwhelming,” she added.
“I believe that a faith community is a core element that we need to expand into, to create sacred spaces, to engage with others through ‘meaning-making conversations’,” Rev. Camphouse said, returning to the theme throughout.
She urged people to “speak and listen well” with each other, a behavior that she personifies. “We forgot how to talk and listen. That’s what I’m about,” she said.
“The church needs to shift toward relationship building,” she said, adding “I’m saying these things from the pulpit.” She is working to create conversations and community.
Rev. Camphouse has recently returned from the Parliament of the World’s Religions, an annual international conference convened in August this year in Chicago. She has now attended five Parliaments throughout the world. This year’s theme was “A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom and Human Rights.”
These Parliaments assemble 10,000 participants from 80 countries who are of 200 different faith traditions, Rev. Camphouse noted. She serves as a member of the “core team” for hosting the “Women’s Village.” That organized group aims to empower women and promote equal voices and just treatment around the world.
Before moving to Sharon, Rev. Camphouse served at Countryside United Church of Christ in Omaha, Nebraska, as the Interim Director of Engagement and Formation. She was also the Clergy Chair of the Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha, the only place in the world where a synagogue, mosque and church intentionally shared a property to demonstrate a model of peaceful coexistence and collaboration among the Abrahamic faith traditions.
“I love living in a small town that is filled with creative, intelligent and thoughtful people,” Rev. Camphouse said of her Sharon-Lakeville home. “I am relishing discovering the history, and I am drawn to meaningful conversations with amazing residents.”
Anticipating challenges to be addressed, Rev. Camphouse spoke of the schisms dividing people collectively in the nation and the world, and strategies to help people to reconnect and recenter to restore and deepen relationships.
In addition to her pastoral experience, Rev. Camphouse is a registered nurse adding a listening ear and a holistic health approach that can incorporate spiritual direction. She is also a trained World Café facilitator.
Silver Lake
Now known as the Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center, David Camphouse recalled that the site began in 1957 as a camp connected with the United Church of Christ. He attended summer camp as a child and as he matured, he continued in camp ministry for a 30-year career.
Camphouse said that the COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to camp ministry and administration. The call to remain safe within family changed children’s summer experiences.
Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center is now equipped to serve Grade 4 through high school aged campers. This summer, Camphouse was gratified to see an increase in children enrolled in Grades 4, 5 and 6.
“This year, I’ve been excited to work with staff who were campers at Silver Lake, continuing that relationship by returning,” he said.
“Our gift is providing the experience for campers to be themselves at camp,” he said. “They are allowed to claim all of who they are,” he added.
Plans include attracting regional or national conferences to the camp, or hosting retreats, Camphouse said.
Welcoming to all
Eager to meet members of her new communities and in the hope that some might be curious, Rev. Camphouse noted that Sunday worship at United Methodist Church of Lakeville begins at 9 a.m. and at United Methodist Church of Sharon at 10:30 a.m. Both churches have regularly updated Facebook pages to share news of upcoming special programs.
Residents are also invited to tour the Silver Lake facility throughout the fall, beginning on Monday, August 21. To find a good time to visit, explore future program opportunities for individuals or groups, call the Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center Office (860)364-5526.
The Camphouses have three children: Sophia who will enroll as a freshman at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, and identical twins Paul and John, who will enter Grade 5 at Sharon Center School.
FALLS VILLAGE — Robin Lee Roy, 62, of Zephyrhills, Florida, passed away Jan. 14, 2026.
She was a longtime CNA, serving others with compassion for more than 20 years before retiring from Heartland in Florida.
Robin loved the beach, sunshine, and gardening, and was known for her strength, humor, and unwavering support of those she loved.
She is survived by her daughter, Sierra R. Zinke, and brothers, Darren Roy and Todd Roy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sharon Thomkins Roy and Robert Roy, and her brother Nevin Roy.
No services will be held at this time.
SALISBURY — Marjorie A. Vreeland, 98, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizons, on Jan. 10, 2026.She was surrounded by her two loving children, Richard and Nancy.She was born in Bronxville, New York,on Aug. 9, 1927, to Alice (Meyer) and Joseph Casey, both of whom were deceased by the time she was 14. She attended public schools in the area and graduated from Eastchester High School in Tuckahoe and, in 1946 she graduated from The Wood School of Business in New York City.
At 19 years old, she married Everett W. Vreeland of White Plains, New York and for a few years they lived in Ithaca, New York, where Everett was studying to become a veterinarian at Cornell. After a short stint in Coos Bay, Oregon (Mike couldn’t stand the cloudy, rainy weather!) they moved back east to Middletown, Connecticut for three years where Dr. Vreeland worked for Dr. Pieper’s veterinary practice.In Aug. of 1955, Dr. and Mrs. Vreeland moved to North Kent, Connecticut with their children and started Dr. Vreeland’s Veterinary practice. In Sept. of 1968 Marjorie, or “Mike” as she wished to be called, took a “part-time job” at the South Kent School.She retired from South Kent 23 years later on Sept. 1, 1991.Aside from office help and bookkeeping she was secretary to the Headmaster and also taught Public Speaking and Typing.In other times she worked as an assistant to the Town Clerk in Kent, an office worker and receptionist at Ewald Instruments Corp. and as a volunteer at the Kent Library.
“Mike” loved the sun, sand and water and spent many summers at Westport Point, Massachusetts with the kids and their best friends, the Bauers.She was the consummate hostess, and a wonderful cook.She also appeared in several plays with The Sherman Players and also a show or two on special occasions at The Kent Community House.She took enjoyment from working outdoors doing chores around her home in North Kent.She lived in that house until she sold it and bought a condominium on North Main Street in Kent in May of 2003.She lived in the condo until 2018 after which her light began to fade and her last 8 years were spent comfortably at Noble Horizons.
“Mike” leaves behind her children, Richard (Susan) of Lakeville, her daughter Nancy Rutledge (Jim) of Salisbury; two grandchildren, Chandra Gerrard (Sean) of Litchfield, Matthew (Larissa) of Lakeville; three great grandchildren, Addison, Emilia and Everett, all of Lakeville.
She was predeceased by her beloved granddaughter Caroline in 2020.
All services are private.The Ryan Funeral Home, 255 Main St., Lakeville, is in charge of arrangements.
To offer an online condolence, please visit ryanfhct.com
SALISBURY -— Rafael A. Porro, 88, of 4 Undermountain Road, passed away Jan. 6, 2026, at Sharon Hospital. Rafael was born on April 19, 1937 in Camaguey, Cuba the son of Jose Rafael Porro and Clemencia Molina de Porro. He graduated from the Englewood School for Boys in Englewood, New Jersey and attended Columbia University School of General Studies. Rafael retired as a law library clerk from the law firm of Curtis, Mallet Prevost in 2002 and came to live in Salisbury to be nearer to his sister, Chany Wells.
Rafael is survived by his sister, Chany Wells, his nephew Conrad Wells (Gillian), and by numerous cousins in North Carolina, Florida, Wyoming, Arizona, Cuba and Canada. He was the eldest of the cousins and acknowledged family historian. He will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in June. Memorial contributions may be made to Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury and Scoville Memorial Library.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
TORRINGTON — Roger D. Ovitt, 91, of 35 Berry St. Torrington, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family.He was the husband of Barbara (Webb) Ovitt of Torrington.Roger was born June 28, 1934 in Amenia, New York, son of the late Ronald and Edna Lucy (King) Ovitt.
Roger had worked for 36 years as a crusher operator for the former Pfizer Corporation in Canaan. After retiring from Pfizer in 1992, Roger joined his brother, Brian, and began a new career as a house painter. Roger enjoyed this venture with his brother.He was an avid fisherman.Roger also loved to garden.He took great pride in the flowers and vegetables that he raised.
In addition to his wife, Roger is survived by his children;Donald Ovitt and his wife Alissa of Clarksville, Tennessee, Jennifer Godburn and her husband Stephen of Sarasota, Florida, Valerie Bachman and her husband Paul of Torrington, Connecticut, Stephanie Follett of Ashley Falls, Massachusetts, and Nelson Roddy and his wife Mary of Lakeville, Connecticut.Roger is also survived by his sister, Eleanor Hineman of Connecticut, and his three brothers; Robert Ovitt of Southfield, Massachusetts, Brian Ovitt and his wife Alice of Sheffield, Massachusetts, and Gary Ovitt and his wife Cheryl of Sheffield, Massachusetts; his brother-in-law Charlton Webb of Winsted, Connecticut;12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Roger was predeceased by his daughter, Penny Fallon, sister Joy Eichstedt, brothers Ronald, Carlton, Jerry, Wayne, and Raymond Ovitt, his grandson Shawn Bachman, his great-grandsonEli Green, and his step-father Edwin Mansir.
A Celebration of Roger’s Life will be held on Saturday Jan. 24, 2026, at 11 a.m. in the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home 118 Main St. North Canaan, CT 06018.
Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the service begins at 11 a.m.
Memorial donations in Roger’s memory may be made to Connecticut Chapter of theAlzheimer’s Association 10 Executive Drive Suite 202 Farmington, CT 06032.
