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Spring Is Coming to Branford, CT

Branford, CT

March 9, 2016

I happened to stop by the Branford Town Hall today and discovered that they had just received a shipment of their latest Branford Events magazine.  This is Volume 4 – Quarter 1 – 2016. It was a treat to be able to provide a snowy image for the last issue, but even nicer to give them a spring shot of the Branford Congregational Church and new leaves and blossoms reminding us of the direction our weather is heading over the next few weeks.

Happy Spring!

Peter

Peter Otis Photos, LLC

PLACES… PLANTS… people… plus other gems…

 

Branford Events Cover - Spring 2016 - Congregational Church, Blossoms and New Leaves (With Permission from Branford Events, published by Essex Printing and Events Magazines)
Branford Events Cover – Spring 2016 – Congregational Church, Blossoms and New Leaves (With Permission from Branford Events, published by Essex Printing and Events Magazines)

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Blossoms, Branford, Congregational Church, CT Branford Town Green, Essex Events Magazines, Essex Printing, Peter Otis, Peter Otis Photos, Spring

Two Completely Restored Tiffany Windows Return to Their Home

One of my temporary posters used while the windows were away being restored
One of my temporary posters used while the windows were away being restored
Both windows back in place
Amazingly brilliant detail of one window! And to think that every piece of glass was in a box at one time after it left Branford and before it was returned to us!
Amazingly brilliant detail of one window! And to think that every piece of glass was in a box at one time after it left Branford and before it was returned to us!

Trinity Episcopal Church on the Green, Branford, CT, June 30, 2015

Our restored Tiffany windows are back!

In early November last year workers from Hampden, MA-based Stained Glass Resurces, Inc. removed two of our old windows that needed serious repair. The windows came back this week and were placed in their proper locations.  We are now preparing ourselves to see the windows “with sunglasses on” due to their fresh clarity and brilliance. At some point in the future I will write a blog documenting the removal, intricate rebuilding of each window in Massachusetts and the re-installation yesterday.

But for now, please enjoy these images, and as soon as you can, come to Trinity and see them looking as lovely as they did when they were made by the Tiffany Studio a long time ago!

 

Peter

Peter Otis Photos, LLC

PLACES… plants… people… PLUS OTHER GEMS

 

One of my temporary posters used while the windows were away being restored
One of my temporary posters used while the windows were away being restored
Carefully saving the posters
Carefully saving the posters
Old exterior plexiglass- saved to cut new ventilation glass to proper size
Old exterior plexiglass- saved to cut new ventilation glass to proper size

Window #1- transported safely with window #2 resting behind it
Window #1- transported safely with window #2 resting behind it
Stained Glass Restoration, Inc. truck
Stained Glass Restoration, Inc. truck
Scraping and cleaning before inserting the first window
Scraping and cleaning before inserting the first window

Here comes our first window after 8 months of total diassembling and rebuilding
Here comes our first window after 8 months of total diassembling and rebuilding
Carefully moving the 400 ish pound window into a vertical position
Carefully moving the 400 ish pound window into a vertical position
Our first picture of the window and its fresh colors!
Our first picture of the window and its fresh colors!

Almost in place
Almost in place
Sealed on the inside- awaiting the exterior ventilation
Sealed on the inside- awaiting the exterior ventilation
Here comes window #2
Here comes window #2

These windows have as many as 5 (!) layers of glass
These windows have as many as 5 (!) layers of glass
Exterior image, showing a few very subtle reinforcing bars to keep the window from bulging and bowing in the future
Exterior image, showing a few very subtle reinforcing bars to keep the window from bulging and bowing in the future
Amazingly brilliant detail of one window! And to think that every piece of glass was in a box at one time after it left Branford and before it was returned to us!
Amazingly brilliant detail of one window! And to think that every piece of glass was in a box at one time after it left Branford and before it was returned to us!

Both windows back in place
Exterior image
Exterior image
Exterior image
Exterior image

Filed Under: Blog, Uncategorized Tagged With: Branford, CT, Peter Otis Photos, Stained Glass Restoration, Tiffany, Trinity Episcopal Church

Keeping Their Faiths Alive: Age-Old Traditions of Admitting Episcopal and Jewish Adults

Trinity Episcopal Church, Branford, CT
Congregation Mishkan Israel, Hamden, CT
Trinity Episcopal Church, Branford, CT

Both sanctuaries demonstrate biophilic/ natural elements.  Trinity Church’s Gothic style has wooden features resembling tree branches and forest canopy and windows that direct one’s eyes higher and higher.  Congregation Mishkan Israel’s sanctuary also rises high with its blue, blue, windows making this viewer think of sky and sea.

 

Branford and Hamden, Connecticut

On two successive Saturdays in May I was privileged to photograph two very different religious ceremonies that also shared the equally significant purpose of admitting new adults into their faith communities.

I was present at a confirmation service at Trinity Episcopal Church in Branford and a Bat Mitzvah at Congregation Mishkan Israel (CMI) in Hamden.  Confirmation is the sacramental rite in which the candidates “express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 860). In the Branford service about 35 teenagers and adults from 6 Shoreline parishes were either “confirmed” or “received” into the Episcopal Church.  In Hamden one very poised young woman shared her knowledge of Hebrew, the Torah and life in front of assembled parishioners, classmates, family and friends at her Bat Mitzvah. “Depending on the congregation, boys and girls may conduct all or part of the service, read or chant the b’rachotover the Torah (an aliyah), read a section from the Torah portion for that week, read or chant the b’rachot for the haftarah, read a section from the haftarah, and deliver a sermon.” [http://www.reformjudaism.org/bar-and-bat-mitzvah].

Diocesan Bishop Ian Douglas, Episcopal Church In CT,  and CMI’s Rabbi Herbert Brockman personified the presence of the Holy Spirit through their speaking and actions such as the laying on of hands or describing and teaching about traditions.  Rabbi Brockman described the Torah from Czechoslovakia, including its being studied, saved during World War II and then being passed down from times long ago to the newest bat mitzvah through her parents.  Both services provided public affirmations of the entrance into adulthood of the participants.

 

After a candidate makes affirmations, a bishop in apostolic succession lays hands on the candidate and prays a prayer of confirmation.
As part of the historic succession, the candidate walks the Torah through the sanctuary.
Rabbi Brockman comments on the tallit (prayer shawl) handed down through the family for many generations.

 

Both worship areas are blessed to have lovely stained glass windows:

Stained glass windows on the East side of Trinity.
Cantor Arthur Giglio in front of the windows depicting persons representing the “modern prophetic tradition.”

 

No service would be complete without a meal:

Bishop Douglas and The Rev. Sharon Gracen preparing the elements
“The Gifts of God for the People of God.”

Kiddush, literally, “sanctification,” is a blessing recited over wine or grape juice to sanctify the Shabbat. (Wikipedia)
Sharing the Challah bread

One final note about these two weekend services… After the service I spoke with the organist at CMI.  Among many of his professional musical pursuits, he is an organist for both local synagogues and churches.  My  interfaith photography and his interfaith music, reminded me about our shared Judeo-Christian heritage.

Following the worship at each service, honorees and their loved ones celebrated their accomplishments and admission as adults into their faiths.  All blessings and well wishes to these new members who will strive to keep their faiths alive!

I am ready to take on my next photo assignment.

Peter

Peter Otis Photos, LLC

PLACES… plants… PEOPLE… plus other gems

 

Filed Under: Blog, Uncategorized Tagged With: Bat Mitzvah, Bishop Ian Douglas, Branford, Congregation Mishkan Israel, CT, Episcopal Church, Peter Otis Photos, Rabbi Herbert Brockman, Rev. Sharon Gracen, Trinity Church

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