The Courier
January 2004
Volume 58, Issue 1
ANNUAL REPORT, 2003 -
RECTOR
Last Year I focused this annual report on the consequences
of a successful capital campaign. In 2003 we have gathered a Capital Projects
Team that includes representatives from the three areas of ministry of our
parish: Property, Parish Life, and Community Ministry. The first order of
business for the Team was to repay the Endowment Fund all monies borrowed to
pay for the Capital Campaign itself. We decided to pay this in full at the
outset of the project work, in order to build the trust of the Vestry and the
people of
The second task of the Capital Projects Team was to select
“Grounds That Beautify” as the first category of work. The majority of our
attention has been focused on navigating the City’s approval process, and
expressing our neighborliness to the immediate residents around
They say that a rising tide floats all the ships. As the work of the Capital Projects continues, other efforts to support a “rising tide” are also underway. Bill Graff and a small team of other parishioners has looked at raising the necessary funds to complete the restoration of the tower. The group has secured some pledges, but needs to keep working. We are hopeful that all the funding will be committed at some point in 2004.
The other two major support efforts do not involve
buildings. Barbara Harrington and others have been able to move the neighborhood
community center forward. A grant from the Dyson Foundation will enable us to
hire another consultant to help expand the base of involvement and ownership in
the Center among the residents and institutions on the southside
of
The last of the major initiatives is being coordinated by former Warden Sally Vasse, and relates to our mandate to “welcome the stranger.” The Welcoming Team will provide us with and orderly and caring response to those who are investigating our faith community. We seek to be a “house of prayer for all people” and so we open our doors every day of the week, for prayer, song, formation, and support. The Welcoming Team will help those who are not party of our present community to find their place here and to make their contribution to Christ’s ministry. In order to do our best at welcoming all people, we may need to let our current practices and schedule evolve into a more welcoming format. In particular, a small group, inspired by John McCleary and Carlie Graves’ experience in Cambridge last year is preparing a format for once-a-month worship geared toward full participation by our children and young adults. I will write more about this in detail as the group nears the end of its preparatory work.
I believe that the Holy Spirit is calling us in new ways to
be a beacon of hope and light to the people of the City of
Fr. Michael Phillips
Rector
A NOTE FROM GOD
January 4 Psalm 84:1-8 Jeremiah 31:7-4,9-15 Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a Matt. 2:1-12
Jan.11 Psalm
89:20-29 Isaiah 42:1-9 Acts
Jan. 18 Psalm 961-10 Isaiah 62:1-5 I Corinthians 12:1-11 John 2:1-11
Jan 25 Psalm 113 Nehemiah 8:2-10 I Corinthians 12:12-27 Luke 4:14-21
FROM THE WARDENS
The last Vestry meeting of 2003 was held on December 15. We welcomed newly elected Vestry Members who customarily are invited to attend this meeting. Your Vestry received the following reports:
Peggy Kraft, Senior Warden & John Colclough, Junior Warden
The Christ Church Prayer Net is
a group of parishioners which responds to requests for daily intensive prayer
for individuals facing emergencies or urgent circumstances, usually of short
duration as opposed to chronic conditions, although some emergencies may last
some time. Anyone may request prayers for themselves or others. We invite the
parish to submit their requests and we promise to pray daily. Requests may be
directed to Julia Dutton at luliamsd@juno.com
or 471-6846, or to Deacon Mary Gregorius at 297-0253.
Those making requests are responsible for providing updates on the condition of
those for whom we are praying so that we know best how to direct our prayers.
We invite anyone who would like to participate in this mission to contact Julia
as noted above. We prefer an e-mail address, since our communications are by
e-mail. If you do not have access to e-mail, however, you are welcome to be a
part of the Prayer Net.
Thank you, Julia Dutton
CHRISTMAS 2003
The angel said, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am
bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” The Gospel of St
Luke
As we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord, let us open our hearts and souls to
the good news of God in Christ as we give thanks for the faithful witness of
the people of God in the Diocese and the services we are enabled to offer in
the Name of Our Lord.
Here in our diocese, we have much for which to be thankful, we have much for
which to be thankful, we have much for which to pray. We are blessed with
clergy and laity who strive to help others, who seek the common good, and who
clothe, feed those in need and welcome all into our lives.
We ask your continued prayers for our spiritual life together, and for the
knowledge that Christ Our King was born in
Though this is a time of war and rumors of war, yet it is the time that God has
given us. It is, therefore, a holy time. Let us renew the promise of hope that
we share in this Christmas season as we heed the angels’ call to “Fear not,”
and as we worship Jesus Christ, let us pray that all fear and hate may be
removed from our lives.
Faithfully,
The Bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of
The Rt. Rev. Mark S. Sisk
The Rt. Rev. Catherine Roskam
The Rt. Rev. E. Don Taylor
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
The DEADLINE for input in the
January issue of “The Courier: is Sunday, January 18. Please be sure to have
all information to Michele Haynes (452-8220 or christchurch@mindspring.com) by
that date. Any form of input is gratefully received. You don’t have to be experienced
in writing to submit anything. I will make it work for you!
Michele Haynes
FROM THE BATON OF
LAURA RUSSEL, MUSIC DIRECTOR
Overview of music at
January – “Gift to the city of
February – Organ Recital, “Fantasies, Fanfares & Jigs: Oh My!” – Presented
by John Sullivan
February – Songs of
Freedom, Healing and Forgiveness – The Christ Church Concert Choir and
guest artists performed in an afternoon of music celebrating the power of
healing and forgiveness. There was a Eucharist and Pot Luck supper following
the concert. This concert was part of a special series of services presented at
March-Chamber Music Concert by the Mistral Trio – music for oboe, clarinet and bassoon.
April – Memorial Concert to honor the memory of Dr. Jeffery Perchick.
May – Christ Church Spring Choir Concert
Works for choir and orchestra
by Mozart, Haydn, Bruckner and others.
August – annual BachFest concerts
October – “A German-French Alliance” concert of German and
French songs presented by Benedikt Kellner, tenor, and Maria de
October –
November – special All Saints Sunday music for choir and guest musicians.
November – Choral Concert by Capella Festiva Chamber Choir
December – Youth String Orchestra Concert – Stringendo – led by Jonathan Handman
Christmas Eve Prelude Concert – Vivaldi Gloria for choir and orchestra
“THE THREE KINGS”
There will be a group rate for those who choose to go by
train from
QUOTE FROM DIETRICH
BONHOEFFER
“Every day brings the Christian many hours of being alone in an un-Christian environment. These are times of testing. This is the proving ground of a genuine time of meditation and genuine Christian community. Has the community served to make individuals free, strong, and mature, or has it made them insecure and dependant? Has it taken them by the hand for awhile so that they would learn again to walk by themselves, or has it made them anxious and unsure? This is one of the toughest and most serious questions that can be put to any form of everyday in Christian life in community (Lebensgemeinschaft). Moreover, we will see, at this point, whether it has led them into the real world of God, from which they enter into the day’s activities strengthened and purified. Has it transported them for a few short moments into a spiritual ecstasy that vanishes when everyday life returns, or has it planted the Word of God so soberly and so deeply in their hearts that it holds and strengthens them all day long, leading them to active love, to obedience, to good works? Only the day can decide.”
Becky Nielsen
“GIFT TO THE CITY”
CONCERT
The “Gift to the City” concert will be offered on New Year’s
Day, Jan. 1,
ADULT FORUM
Adult Forum:
Spirituality and Communities of Faith “Practicing Christianity as a ‘People
Called Out’”
During this five week unit we will explore the significance
of being “ec-clessia” – a people called out of the
normal and ordinary, in order to proclaim God’s extra-ordinary good news. We
will examine the internal dynamics of agreement and conflict. We will also seek
to understand our relationship to other groups and institutions that promote
other value systems than our own. The Forum meets on Sundays, from
Michael
COMPANIONS OF
The Companions of Christ Church is open to women of all ages and faiths. It is an opportunity for women to join together for worship, fellowship, study and a wonderful meal. There is an Evensong service on Friday evening followed by a Potluck Supper. Saturdays are usually contemplative or instructional in nature and revolve around a specific theme or activity.
Next Companions Weekend:
Friday, February 6 and
Theme: Iconography
The Mother of God of
Join us for a weekend of Mary in prayer, meditation, song and art (even learn to create and paint your own icon!)
BIBLICAL STATEMENTS
1. In the first book of the bible, Genesis, God got tire of creating stuff, so he took the Sabbath off.
2. Adam and Eve were made from an apple tree.
3. Noah’s wife was called Joan of Ark. Noah built an ark, which the animals come on to with pears.
4. Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles.
5. Moses led the Hebrews to the
6. The Egyptians were drowned in the dessert. Afterwards,
Moses went up on
7. The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat an apple.
8. The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.
9. Moses died before he ever got to
10. David was a Hebrew king skilled at playing the liar. He fought with the Finklestines, a race of people who lived in Biblical times.
11. Solomon, one of David’s sons, had 300 wives. It must have been nag, nag, nag all day long.
12. When Mary heard that she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.
13.
14. It was a miracle when Jesus rose from the dead and manages to get the tombstone off the entrance.
15. The people who followed the lord were called the 12 decibles.
16. The epistles where the wives of the apostles.
17. One of the opossum was St. Mathew who was also a taximan.
18.
HAVE FUN!!!!