Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Rev. Dr. Robert Hartwell
The Village Lutheran Church and Chapel School
172 White Plains Road
Bronxville, NY 10708
(9140 337-0207
DATE: 09-17-07
HEADLINE:
Pastor loses weight, gains support
BODY:
Bronxville, NY-“What would you do for your favorite charity? Rev. Dr. Robert Hartwell, the Senior Pastor of the Village Lutheran Church and Chapel School in Bronxville recently had to answer that question. “For most people, support of our church means a check written each week or rolling up their sleeves to do volunteer work. For me, in addition to these things, it means counting calories and laps.” In November of 2006, a former parishioner challenged Hartwell to demonstrate to his flock his commitment to the growing church and school by publicly losing weight. With a goal of 70 pounds (and a guaranteed match of $5,000 per pound if he reached the goal by January 1, 2008) Harwell consulted with Dr. Joy Elwell, his nurse practitioner, and began the challenge the church dubbed, “The Skinny on Sacrifice.” Using the Nutri-system diet, walking with his wife of 20 years, Sue, and lifting weights and running at Concordia College’s fitness center, Hartwell has seen a 65 pound weight loss (as of mid September) and a dramatic increase in stamina and energy.
With 5 pounds to go for the challenge and 10 more after that for his personal goal, Hartwell reflects on the challenge and the experience. “I will say that this is a wonderful motivator for me personally. It also has been a confirmation for me of how much and how committed I really am to my church and school. I can remember seeing a food item that I would loved to have eaten yet refusing it without much anguish because I knew my church was worth far more than those tasty bites.”
The church and school completed a building project several years ago and the challenge monies will go directly to pay for and pay down the debt. According to the Chapel School principal, Mr. James Dhyne, “It is so important that we cover the debt in special ways, with the goal of eliminating it, so we can focus with clarity on serving the community with programs of education, empowerment and support.”
Several church members and community supporters have also agreed to match the challenge at their own level. One parishioner, Tuckahoe High School student, Raymond Piedmont, even joined his Pastor on the challenge and has surpassed his mentor by loosing 78 pounds to date and dramatically increasing his fitness goals.
According to Piedmont, “I saw what the Pastor was doing and said, “I can do that.”” Hartwell and Piedmont along with congregants, school families and friends, plan to ring in the new year with a family fun night, a special New Year’s Eve prayer service and a weigh-in at 12:01 AM on January 1, 2008.
When asked what foods Hartwell would eat after the goal was completed, Hartwell was quick with the answer,” My weight loss is about a change of lifestyle. The committed monies will empower this ministry but once they are used, they will be gone. How sad, though, if our view of fitness goes back to status quo after the challenge. We have already decided that a focus on healthy care of BODY, mind and spirit will remain a major focus of our ministry. That is one gift that will see returns for decades to come.”
For more information on the challenge contact the church at 914-337-0207 or PastorH@VLC-NY.ORG or go on-line at WWW.VLC-NY.ORG. The Village Lutheran Church is located at 172 White Plains Road (across the street from Concordia College). The Village Church (chartered as Concordia Lutheran Church) was founded in 1916.
CONTACT: Rev. Dr. Robert Hartwell
The Village Lutheran Church and Chapel School
172 White Plains Road
Bronxville, NY 10708
(914) 337-0207
Church Observes Confirmation Reunion
DATE: 10-16-06
The Village Lutheran Church celebrated a Confirmation Reunion on Sunday, October 15.
The Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Robert Hartwell described the event: “Over the years hundreds of children and adults have confirmed the faith given them in their baptisms and we thought it would be very special to invite back as many as possible to mark our 90th anniversary.”
During the service the Confirmands were asked to stand as a special blessing was shared. The Confirmands also received a limited edition anniversary pin. Included in the over 150 worshippers was the Pastor Emeritus of the Village Lutheran Church, the Rev. Dr. James C. Zwernemann (who presided at many confirmation services in his almost thirty years of service to the church), along with his wife, Bonnie (McGinnis) Zwernemann who is a daughter of the church and a Confirmation alumni.
A highlight of the service was the singing of the Concordia Chorale, Concordia College-New York’s touring choir who sang several arrangements for the festive service and during the Eucharist. According to Deborah Reiss, the choir’s conductor, “We were happy to share in the Village Lutheran Church’s big day. Expressing faith through music is a big part of our mission as Concordia’s tour choir.”
In 2007, the church will continue to mark her 90th year as a congregation with a Baptismal reunion on Sunday, April 22 at 10:45 AM and a Wedding Reunion for couples married at the church on Sunday, May 6, 2007 at 10:45 AM
The Village Lutheran Church is located across the street from Concordia College on state road 22 and was chartered in 1916 (as Concordia Lutheran Church). The church operates the Chapel School, Preschool through Grade 8, that boasts the first Nursery School Program in Westchester County. The church is celebrating her 90th anniversary in 2006 and the school her 60th in 2007.
Photo Caption: Senior Pastor Robert Hartwell (Left) and Pastor Emeritus James C. Zwernemann (right) pose with many of the returning Confirmands at a reception for the Confirmands following the special reunion service.
