Tag Archives: First Congregational Church of Old Lyme

Decorations, Gifts Abound During ‘Elephants in Winter’ Sale Today, Tomorrow

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Find all sorts of Christmas treasures at the Elephants in Winter Sale on Nov. 15 and 16.

OLD LYME–The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme will become a one-stop holiday shop on Nov. 15 and 16 as it opens its doors to those looking to decorate for the holidays or on the hunt for that special gift. Opening hours on Saturday are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All the holiday items collected during intake days for the White Elephant Sale in July will be featured at the Benevolent Society’s ‘Elephants In Winter’ Sale, including Christmas decorations, Christmas stockings, artificial greens and wreaths, holiday china and glassware, linens, sweaters, toys, books, CDs, DVDs, paper goods, lights, candles, and ornaments.  

Meanwhile, the church’s Partnership Committees will host their own sale with unique craft items including Haitian art, olive oil and soaps, Lakota handicrafts, and one-of-a kind handmade scarves, mittens, hats, baby quilts, aprons, potholders, and holiday napkins from “The Ladies Who Stitch.” 

For more information, visit fccol.org or call the church at 860-434-5656.

FloGris Museum Presents Free Annual Samuel Thorne Memorial Lecture on Sculpture Through the Ages, Nov. 8

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On Saturday, Nov. 8, Chad Fisher, who is the Charlotte Colby Danly Sculpture Chair at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, will speak on “Once Upon a Pedestal: Figural Sculpture–Then, Now, Next.” His talk is the Annual Samuel Thorne Memorial Lecture and open to all at no charge with prior registration. Photo courtesy of Florence Griswold Museum.

Speaker is Chad Fisher—the Charlotte Colby Danly Sculpture Chair at Lyme Academy—with “Once Upon a Pedestal: Figural Sculpture–Then, Now, Next”

OLD LYME—On Saturday, Nov. 8, at 5 p.m., the Florence Griswold Museum will host the Annual Samuel Thorne Memorial Lecture at the Meeting House, First Congregational Church of Old Lyme at 2 Ferry Road, Old Lyme, CT.

This year the speaker will be Chad Fisher, who is the Charlotte Colby Danly Sculpture Chair at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. His talk is titled, “Once Upon a Pedestal: Figural Sculpture–Then, Now, Next.” Fisher will present an exploration of the rich history of the figural sculpture beginning with the Egyptians and highlighting the French academic traditions with artists such as Duret, Rodin, and Carpeaux.

During his presentation, Fisher will explore the role of American sculptors including Charles Grafly, John Rogers, Paul Manship, and Lyme’s own Bessie Potter Vonnoh. As both a sculptor and sculpture instructor, Fisher shares his holistic approach to both the creation and exhibition of sculpture and its potential impact in both private and public spaces.

This event is free but reservations are required through this link.

Thorne Lecture is an endowed lecture series that allows the Museum to invite distinguished speakers and thinkers to share their work with the FloGris family. It is named in memory of Samuel Thorne, who served as the Museum’s President in the 1950s. Mr. Thorne’s widow and son established this signature program in 1995.

Old Lyme Church Hosts Concert to Celebrate the Late Rev. David Good Tonight 7pm, Palestinian Dinner 5:30pm

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On Sunday, Nov. 2, Ramzi Aburedwan & The Dal’Ouna Ensemble will perform a concert at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme honoring the late Rev. David Good.

Premier of New Violin Suite Dedicated to the late Rev. Good to be Played, Palestinian Dinner Precedes Concert

OLD LYME—On Sunday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m., Ramzi Aburedwan & The Dal’Ouna Ensemble, with guest violinist Michael Dabroski, will present a concert in celebration of Tree of Life’s late founder, Rev. David W. Good. The concert will be held in the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme and all are welcome.

The late Rev. David W. Good.

Dabroski will premier his Violin Suite No. 5 – A Prayer for David as a tribute to a man who inspired many with his passionate pursuit of peace and justice for all.

Dal’Ouna blends Palestinian and Arab heritage with contemporary and jazzy accents, weaving stories of love, freedom, and daily life through music and poetry.

The concert will be preceded at 5:30 pm by a Palestinian Dinner. Reservations are required for the dinner.

Suggested donation for the dinner and concert is $30. For the concert only $10, no reservations needed. Donations will be collected at the event.

If you are unable to attend but would like to support Tree of Life’s mission, visit this link.

For more information about the Old Lyme program, visit this link, or contact Becky Crosby at rtcros@ftcrosby.com.

Editor’s Note: The church is located at the corner of Lyme Street and Ferry Road in Old Lyme. Use “5 Ferry Road” for GPS.

Opening Weekend of Musical Masterworks’ 35th Season in Old Lyme, Oct. 4-5

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Tessa Lark will help open Musical Masterworks’ 35th season in Old Lyme on Oct. 5 and 6. File photo by Richard Bowditch.

OLD LYME–Musical Masterworks will begin its 35th season at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme in a concert weekend featuring Artistic Director and violinist Tessa Lark. 

Performances will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 5, at 3 p.m.

Musical Masterworks in a press release said the weekend’s ensemble features Lark, pianist Inon Barnatan, violist Hsin-Yun Huang, cellist Efe Baltacigil and double bassist Tim Cobb. The program pairs Schubert pieces including the Trout Quintet and the Arpeggione Sonata with Lark’s Appalachian Fantasy, blending the timeless and contemporary. 

“This season, I’m drawn to music that feels deeply personal, exploring the sublime worlds of specific composers and sharing the places I love most,” Lark said. “I hope these programs invite our concertgoers to linger, discover, and experience something new and meaningful along the way.” 

The season runs from October to April at the church, 4 Lyme Street. 

Visit the Musical Masterworks website or email admin@musicalmasterworks.org to purchase subscriptions ($175 each), mini-subscriptions ($115 each), individual tickets ($45 each), or student tickets ($5 each). 

Death Announced of Phyllis Murray McDowell, 99; Memorial Service to be Held in Old Lyme, Oct. 10

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CHESTER — Phyllis Murray McDowell, mental health visionary, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, athlete, ballroom dancer, active listener and deep conversationalist, died on September 12, 2025 at her home in Chester, Connecticut. She was 99 years old.

Phyllis was born on July 1, 1926, in New York City to Arthur and Kathryn Murray, founders of the Arthur Murray dance studios …

She is survived by her four daughters, Kathryn P. Magown, Martha M. McDowell, Meg A. Smith, and Patience P. (Duby) McDowell, her sons-in-law Bruce F. Magown, O. Whitman Smith, and Joshua I. Wall, [seven] grandchildren … and five great-grandchildren …

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her honor to Fellowship Place in New Haven, Connecticut. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 10th, at 11am at First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, Connecticut.

Editor’s Note: Visit this link to read the full obituary published Sept. 17, 2025 in the Hartford Courant.