Exhibit Celebrates the Ministry of

Lee Ellenwood



This month, we are pleased to present an exhibit on the history of the John P. Webster Library, with a special focus on the ministry and legacy of Rev. Lee K. Ellenwood. The display can be viewed through August 30.



Lee served as Associate Pastor at First Church for 25 years, helping establish the John P. Webster Library while faithfully serving the congregation. His love of books, history, and West Hartford also led to his work with the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society and to preserving an original copy of Noah Webster's first American English Dictionary for the JPW Library.

The exhibit includes photographs, newspaper clippings, letters, and other memorabilia from Lee's time at First Church, including a copy of his "Reformation Blues" ("I'm going down to Wittenburg, nail my theses on the door / When I get through nailing my thesis / Church be like it's never been before…") and his famous "Book of Revelation Salsa" recipe ("6 swell tomatoes / 6 very pretty jalapeño peppers / and 6 fat cloves of garlic / 666—get it???").

The library itself is a lasting reminder of Lee's vision. More than a collection of books, it is a place of welcome, learning, and community that continues to reflect the values he brought to First Church.

A memorial service for Lee will be held this Saturday, July 18 in the First Church meeting house at 11 a.m. If you plan to join us, we encourage you to arrive a little early. Parking is available in the church lot off of Farmington Avenue or in Isham Garage behind the church. Read Lee's full obituary here.

The Booklist Reader

Now Available for JPWL Patrons & Friends

Looking for a good book? View the electronic version of the July edition of Booklist Reader for ideas!

Published by the American Library Association, Booklist Reader features quality reviews, read-alikes, top 10 lists, author interviews, and more written especially for patrons. Book reviews from all genres, including memoirs and biographies, nonfiction, and historical fiction, as well as audiobooks and books for children and young adults, are included in every issue!

Stop by the JPW Library to peruse our hardcopy of this monthly magazine, and as always, feel free to ask your librarians for recommendations!

Access the Booklist Reader HERE!

The BOHMAN BOOK REVIEW

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen



​In the late 1940s, circumstances required Haiwen and Suchi each to leave their homes in Shanghai. When they meet again in Los Angeles in 2008, they have not seen each other in nearly 60 years. As the story continues, a dual narrative unfolds; Suchi’s story begins in 1938 and moves forward in time, while Haiwen’s begins in 2008 and is told going backwards through time.  

While the hardcover edition spans 512 pages, Homeseeking never feels slow or uninteresting. Each detail adds insight into who Suchi and Haiwen are. ​Although they each experience many immensely difficult events, readers will be enthralled by their stories and will root for them every step of the way. 

-- Molly Bohman, Assistant Librarian

FAITH ON FILM Continues Monday

1-3 p.m. July 20 & July 27

JPW Library

Free - Bring your own snacks!

This series explores the search for compassion and acceptance across cultures, lifestyles, and beliefs.

July 20 The Old Oak When a group of Syrian refugees moves to a once thriving mining village in northern England, prejudice fuels a rift between the community and its newest inhabitants. But an unlikely friendship between the owner of the local pub and a young Syrian woman offers new possibilities for the divided village. Not Rated. Running time: 1h 53m. Trailer here. 

July 27 Cabrini After witnessing disease and poverty in the slums of New York, Italian immigrant Sr. Francesca Cabrini embarks on a daring journey to persuade the hostile mayor to provide housing and healthcare for hundreds of orphaned children. Cabrini was canonized as the first American citizen saint in 1946. Rated PG-13. Running time: 2h 22m. Trailer here.