NCS New Canaan

Founding Chapter

Stewarding Hardship: “Shut Up and Listen” (Mark Herzlich – 1/10/20 – NCS New Canaan)

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We all go through hardship–but how do we steward the “gift” of that hardship to bless other lives? After a touching introduction by Rob Brinkman (with an amazing story of how God used Mark Herzlich in Rob’s life, unbeknownst to Mark), Mark recounts with tremendous humility and transparency (and a wonderful dose of NCS humor) the journey that took him from hearing he would never play football again to winning a Super Bowl ring. Herzlich also shares how he first met his wife, and the extraordinary way she helped him realize his true manhood, which wasn’t on a football field.

Mark also explains how he and his wife made a conscious choice to use the platform God has given them–“Super Bowl Champion”–to make a difference in marriages, in how men treat women and in how people face challenges. In partnership with his wife, Mark Herzlich is stewarding well the gifts of extraordinary blessing and extraordinary hardship that God has allowed in their lives. It is a story worth hearing–so be like Job (and Mark) and “shut up and listen”. Job 40:5 (MSG).

Hearing and Surrendering to God’s Will (Eventually) (Brig. Gen. Tim Gibson – 12/13/19 – NCS New Canaan)

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With a wonderful mix of humor and humility, Brig. Gen. Tim Gibson, USAF (Ret.) shares the extraordinary journey of his career through the ranks of the Air Force and eventually to the position of President of The King’s College in New York. He tells how, time and time again, God closed the doors he most wanted open and often pushed him through the ones he most wanted closed. Each time, Gen. Gibson recognized in hindsight why the door God opened was exactly the right door, often because it qualified him for, and opened, future ones he could have never imagined. Rather than fight the path God had him on, he embraced each step and surrendered to God’s will. He told how, with each adventure, he and his wife became better and better at hearing God’s will and trusting in it. What he tried to cut short after just a few years turned into a distinguished 32-year Air Force career.

How Did a Kid from Stamford Get To Be Standing Here? (Chief Don Anderson – 12/6/19 – NCS New Canaan)

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Don Anderson, the newly commissioned 11th Chief of the Darien Police Department, shares the journey that took him from a young boy growing up in Stamford as the son of a policeman and the grandson of a preacher to Chief of Police for the Town of Darien. With tremendous humility and authenticity, Chief Anderson shares the details of an horrific evening when the exemplary service of a New York State Trooper inspired him to pursue law enforcement.

Chief Anderson talks about the importance of faith in his family when he was young, as well as how his faith has played a role during his police career. He also details his police career, which began with long hours “walking the beat” on lonely streets with little prospect of promotion. Through perseverance and humility, he rose through the ranks to take the position that his father held as the 7th Chief of the Darien Police Department.

This recording includes an eye-opening introduction by John Revell (founder of Life Line Chaplaincy, Chaplain for the Stamford Police Department, Chaplain for the Connecticut State Police), as well as the Q&A session following Chief Anderson’s talk. Perhaps the most dramatic example of how faith has impacted Chief Anderson’s work as an officer is shared in the Q&A–so keep listening!

God’s Amazing Grace Transforms Lives (John Simontacchi – 10/11/19 – NCS New Canaan)

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With great transparency and humility and extraordinary energy, John Simontacchi shares his extraordinary journey of transformation. John describes the numerous times that God’s amazing hand of grace rescued him from life-threatening situations and guided his career, even before he really even “believed” in God. Most dramatically, John explains how the escalation of his career was accompanied by the slow deterioration of his heart until in his 60’s he was given just a few months to live. Once again, God’s amazing grace provided a 20-year old heart for his aging body, and with that heart came direction toward a new career. John Simontacchi was given a new heart both figuratively and literally, and the message of this transformed man is to trust and surrender.

12 Ways To Make Work a Prayer

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As a senior partner in a global consulting firm and a deacon in the Catholic Church, Gauthier Vincent is uniquely positioned to contemplate the intersections and integration of faith and work. He shares 12 ways he has found to ground his work in his faith, and explains how he applies these practically on a daily basis in his own life.

  1. Embrace the purpose of your work (remember all the people whose welfare our work contributes to)
  2. Realize your freedom (just follow Christ)
    Ideas 1 and 2 are about growing in gratitude and in spiritual freedom
  3. Practice a life of virtues at work (even work becomes a good habit, i.e., virtue and a school of selflessness)
  4. Do it right and make it beautiful (beauty always leads to contemplation)
  5. Always be cheerful (joy calls on Joy)
  6. Live the Gospel literally whenever you can (as you take the last seat and sub-optimize your work, you trust in the Lord)
  7. Welcome Christ in everyone (look at the Christ image in all, from the CEO to the janitor)
    Ideas 3-7 are about living the right way, as a child of God
  8. Cultivate the Presence of God during the day (turn your heart to the Lord with ejaculatory prayers, sweet words, e.g., as your watch beeps every hour)
  9. Practice the Examen (reflect on your day and look for how the Lord touched you through consolations and desolations)
  10. Begin and end your day in a contemplative mood (begin with a time for Scripture and Silence and the Silent Presence will stay with you during the day)
  11. Let the cross transform you (above age 25 one learns essentially through failures and suffering; there the Lord comes closer)
  12. Love the world and everyone in it (if you don’t work with love you deprive your co-workers, family, clients, etc.. of the real value of your work, i.e., the love with which you work)
    Ideas 8-12 are about the mystical life at work, the life of union with the Beloved

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