The Rev. Halley Low was born in the Bronx and raised on Long Island. He holds a B.A. in history from Stony Brook University and a Master of Divinity, Magna Cum Laud, from Drew University. Before entering ministry Rev. Low had worked in health-related social services for 22 years. Rev. Low is single and has one child.

Rev. Hal’s first Sunday with us will be July 3. Please give him a very Diamond Hill welcome!

Check out his blog by clicking here!

10am Worship

11:15am Brunch

See Pastor Vicki’s Farewell Letter Below.

May 9, 2011

Dear beloved friends,

In February we welcomed new members into the church, and the scripture passage for the day imagined the church as a garden, with many different people coming in and out to labor. The apostle Paul wrote,

“ What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you have come to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. For we are God’s servants, working together…”

I Corinthians 3:5-9

(To see the full sermon for the day, check out “Gardeners” at www.youtube.com/dhumc) That day, we welcomed new gardeners. In the coming months, we will say some garden farewells. During Holy Week, Don announced that he has been appointed to a church in Mystic, and on Sunday, I announced that, effective July 1, I have been appointed to be the associate pastor at Church of the Village in Manhattan. Church of the Village is a multiracial congregation that has a growing young adult membership, and they are at this time in real need of someone with my unique qualities. For those of you who understand the United Methodist system, you know that changes in pastoral appointments are not wholly out of the ordinary. Having met with the church, I am convinced that God is calling me to minister in this new place, but I have inevitably mixed emotions leaving Diamond Hill.

There are many things I was expecting to have time to do with you all that now must be left in the hands of God. But there are also many things we have done together, many seeds planted, much soil watered. Together, we became a Reconciling Congregation and joined the movement to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the church. We launched a new website and social networking presence and revamped our Sunday School program. We have debated and disagreed on some big questions, but we have continued to keep our eyes on the kingdom of God. And we have said some significant good-bye’s and some joyous hello’s! I have loved and been loved by this community, and I pray that, together, we have planted well. Now, I trust you all to keep working the garden as I pick up my hoe for new soil.

In the coming months, we will be involved in a ministry of transition. My last Sunday will be June 12, and I am your pastor through the month of June. Please be in prayer for the Staff Parish Relations Committee, our District Superintendent, and the Bishop, who will be working to select the new pastor for Diamond Hill. The best way for any of you to honor my ministry would be to continue what I have been trying to do here: to build this church into a just and welcoming community to transform the world. And, above all, pray fervently for the new pastor, who is on her/his way to love you into continued discipleship.

In God’s abundant grace,

The Rev. Vicki I Flippin

The most holy week of the church year is upon us. Check us out for one or all of Diamond Hill’s services!!!

Palm/Passion Sunday. April 17, 10:00 a.m. We triumphantly process into the sanctuary, just as Jesus processed into Jerusalem. The service continues with a special reading of the passion of our Lord.

Maundy Thursday. April 21, 7:30 p.m. We gather in an intimate service, powerfully reenacting Jesus’ final meal with his discipl…es. The altar will be stripped, and candles will be gradually extinguished until we depart silently into the darkness.

Good Friday. April 22, 7:30 p.m. In this special service, First UMC of Greenwich (59 E. Putnam Ave, across from the YMCA) will host Diamond Hill, as we reflect together on the cross.

Easter Sunrise Service. April 24, 6:00 a.m. We gather on the front steps of the church in the morning darkness. Entering our sanctuary in candle light, we bless our church in the light of Christ’s resurrection. As the sun rises, we proclaim the good news!

Easter Sunday Worship. April 24, 10:00 a.m. With glorious music and festive praise, we celebrate new life!

On Sunday, January 23, after church, we will have an all church potluck lunch. No business, just fellowship! The purpose of this lunch will be purely to get to know one another better by sharing our lives. We still need folks to sign up to bring following items for the lunch:

Appetizer (to serve 10)
Vegetarian finger sandwiches (to serve 10)
Side Dish (to serve 10)
Vegetarian Side Dish (to serve 10)
Set Up Help (9:15am)
Clean Up Help

Please let Pastor Vicki know if you are willing to help with any of these! The format will be that we will be sitting in small groups for three courses (appetizers, sandwiches, dessert). During each course, each person at the table will be asked to answer a common question. Just as a head’s up, these questions will be:

1. What is the strangest thing you have ever done?
2. Tell the table three things about you that we don’t already know and would not expect by looking at you.
3. If you knew you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt?

Children are welcome! Following the lunch, Pastor Vicki will hold a Newcomer’s Retreat. If you are new to the church and interested in finding out more about Diamond Hill and the UMC, please speak with Pastor Vicki

Diamond Hill presents a viewing of…

Frank Capra’s
It’s a Wonderful Life

Saturday, December 11th at 7p!

Admission is FREE!!!
REFRESHMENTS!! CHRISTMAS CAROLS!!
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!!
A GREAT WAY TO RING IN THE HOLIDAYS!

Apparently, my email address has been compromised. I’m working to get rid of the problem. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Don

“Life is Pietsche – if you like Nietsche.”
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