Reception of New Members
On Sunday, we welcomed new members Aretha Whitehead, Sheila Shea, and Norma Jones! Here are their bios:
Aretha Whitehead
I grew up in Tucson, Arizona, going to church every Sunday, including extra weeknights for choir practices, vacation bible school, meetings and potlucks. Church was a safe place for me, but some people in the church made it feel a lot less safe. I oftentimes felt betrayed by the community, and worried that the ideals I dedicated my life to weren’t as authentic and ‘real’.
After finding my home here, I was lucky enough to meet members of Old Parish from managing the Farmers Market. From the moment I met them, especially Jill and Jim, I felt safe again, comfortable being myself and that authenticity and realness was shining through each person in this community. I felt like God put me here to show me what true people of God are, and how I can be one of them.
Sheila Shea
My name is Sheila Louise Shea, I am 70 years old. I have lived in Sheffield since 2014. I live with my husband William, married 44 years, and my daughter Siobhan. I have 2 other children, Heather who passed in 2014, and Connor my youngest who is married and lives in Litchfield Connecticut. I retired in 2015 from a Neurology practice where I was a manager for 22 years. I love to buy and sell
vintage and antiques. I share a very close relationship with my mother, 2 aunts, and cousin who live nearby. I have a very spunky 2 year old chihuahua named Pip who keeps us young and laughing. I love history, genealogy, PBS, Jane Austin, and reading historical fiction. I was baptized in the Methodist Church and have believed in God and the teachings of Jesus as long as I can remember.
When my children were young I taught Sunday School and did many special events, holiday plays and crafting, and our famous flea market called the Cure for Cabin Fever, my favorite.
I’ve always loved being a part of a church family, and I look forward to making new lasting friendships with everyone at The Old Parish.
Norma Jones
My name is Norma J Jones, I was born in 1934 on the Olympic Peninsula in the small town of Forks, Washington. Later we moved to Ephrata where I grew up and met my future husband Roger Jones. We married in 1954 and moved to Winsted Connecticut where his family lived. I had 4 children. I joined the Methodist Church in Winsted where my husband’s family attended.
I was an active member for 68 years. I held many offices there including trustee, and took care of investments for many years. I chaired and worked at many fairs and events to raise money for the Church. I loved my church family and had many good friends. In 2022 my husband passed away and I moved to Sheffield with my daughter until a senior apartment was available in Great Barrington. The Sheffield Congregational Church has filled an emptiness in life and I always look forward to Sunday.
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