The Courier

February 2003

Volume 56, Issue 2

Healing of Memories

A couple of years ago the Rev. Michael Lapsey visited Christ Church as a preacher and speaker at Adult Forum. Fr. Lapsey was active in the Anglican Church in South Africa during the struggle to reverse apartheid. Living in exile, he received a letter bomb from the South African government that blew off both his hands and left him blind in one eye. Currently he operates an organization called “The Institute for the Healing of Memories.” Now that the laws have changed in South Africa, the much more difficult work of healing past wounds, and reconciling past enemies begins.

As I reflect on his visit, it seems to me that the United States has much in common with South Africa in this regard. The “Civil Rights Movement” of the 1960’s changed our laws, as they should have been changed. Voting rights, where to sit on public buses, attendance at state supported colleges, and much more needed to be changed. However, the “Civil Rights Movement” by its very title placed legal changes at the top of its agenda. The legal rights of individuals under the constitution was the issue at hand. This was an important and necessary first step. Now that the laws have changed in this country, the much more difficult task changing people’s hearts begins.

Many have been wounded by racism, on both sides of that equation. The suffering if those who are the recipients of racism is more overt, and very real even today, almost forty years after constitutional changes were passed by Congress. The suffering of those who engage racist attitudes is more hidden, but just as real. It is a suffering of conscience, and may be either conscious or unconscious. There is a lot to be healed, if our country ever hopes to move forward as on people.

Deacon Mary, Laura Russell, and I have made plans during the month of February to address this healing process liturgically. On February 9, 16, and 22/23 we will offer liturgy for the healing of memories at Christ Church at both our 8 am and 10 am services (and 4:30 pm on February 22.) These liturgies will include a number of features to begin and/or continue the healing process. The hymns will be selected to emphasize themes of liberation, reconciliation, and unity. The choir anthems will present themes of freedom, making moral choices, and healing. One of the readings will come from a contemporary and secular source, where God’s Spirit has clearly spoken in our own day. Prayer teams will be available in the chapel before and during communion for those who with prayers of healing (details to be found in the Sunday bulletin.)

Perhaps the most visible element of these liturgies will be the sermon. Each of three Sundays, either Mary or I will begin with a brief introduction. We will then turn the pulpit over to a member of the parish who has personal and active experience during the Civil Rights Movement of the ‘60’s. They will recall and share their experience, and then reflect on the meaning of those experiences for them today. A group of about ten parishioners gathered in January to hear the stories and decide which three would be shared orally with the congregation. (It is our hope to publish all the experiences on our website in written form.) The group of ten will hear drafts of the sermons and give feedback, before the sermon is delivered. The group will also hold the three lay preachers in prayer during the month of February.

I encourage everyone in the parish to make every effort to be present for this series of liturgies. You may also want to invite neighbors to attend, especially if they carry wounds of racism or racist attitudes. (Healing happens!) I believe it is extremely important that we not forget these momentous events through which many of us lived and participated. We need to share those stories with those who were not part of those events on a personal level. But we mustn’t stop at recalling the past. Healing wounds from the past has one and only one purpose: that we move into our future healthy and restored. Now that the laws are in place, we need to move forward and assure that every person is given the human dignity God intends when each and every person is brought into creation. Martin Luther King Jr. was a “reverend” before he was a “doctor.” It begins with God’s people. It begins with us.

Michael

A NOTE FROM GOD

Feb 2	Psalm 84:1-6	Malachi 3:1-4	Hebrews 2:14-18	Luke 2:22-40
Feb 9	Psalm 142	II Kings 4:(8-17) 18-21 (22-31) 32-37	I Corinthians 9:16-23	Mark 1:29-39
Feb 16	Psalm 42:1-15	II Kings 5:1-15b	I Corinthians 9:24-27	Mark 1:40-45
Feb 23	Psalm 32:1-8	Isaiah 43:18-25	II Corinthians 1:18-22	Mark 2:1-12

FROM THE WARDENS

At the January meeting, the Vestry confronted a budget deficit in the amount of $22,188.00 for the year of 2003. This shortfall poses a challenge for us in our day to day living, giving, and caring as a spirited faith community. While a pledge increase of 10% on average would eliminate the deficit, the Vestry is also committed to seek outside funding through specific building support grants, as well as through fun activities such as ethnic dinners, music, and other events. Please feel called to share your ideas!

The vestry will spend the weekend of January 24-26, 2003 on a retreat at the House of the Redeemer in New York City. Our focus will be parish growth and the creation of mission and vision statements for 2003. I look forward to sharing the experience with you in the next issue of The Courier!

Peggy Kraft, Senior Warden

PANCAKE SUPPER/SILENT AUCTION

THINK BIG! Get ready for the Kirk Rumble Silent Auction.

“Christ Church people have good stuff,” someone said at last year’s Silent Auction and Pancake Super. This year it will be held on March 4 (Shrove Tuesday). Donations from members, friends, and businesses are most welcome. Items already offered include an upright piano, delicious home-cooked meals, antique furniture, gift certificates. Lessons, and more. Please take a donation sheet from the folders located at the back of the sanctuary and in the hall outside the community room. Return the form by February 20^th with your generous offer. The money we raise will support our Summer Camp and Climb the Beanstalk programs. Contact Alice Bunnell at 452-7031 or Gina Moore at 876-7513 if you have questions or would like to join the team of helpers, needed to make this a success.

As Kirk would say, “Come on, people, its for the children!”

ADULT FORUM

The Adult Forum in the month of February will feature the Rev. Robert Fortna discussing tenets of the Christian faith as expressed in the Nicene Creed. The Creed is a document form the 4^th century which many people today find problematic. Come and learn all you ever wanted to know (and maybe some things you don’t want or need to know( about the Nicene Creed.

COMMUNITY EPISKOPOS REPORT

Thanks to the generosity of the Christ Church family, CME was able to raise more than $11,000 last year to support Christ Church’s children’s programs, Climb the Beanstalk and the Summer Camp, and our designated outreach ministries. After all expenses for the children’s programs were met, there was a balance of $6,000 remaining. At our January meeting, the CME decided to ask the Vestry to approve contributions to local and global ministries totaling $4,000 and to hold $2,000 in reserve for 2003 program needs.

At its January 21 meetings, the Vestry approved the disbursement of funds to the following ministries, each of which has active volunteer support from Christ Church parishioners, whether as individuals or as church members.

Local ministries: $500 each to:

• Rural Migrant Ministry—the Hudson Valley organization that assists the area’s growing immigrant community, of which the Congregation of the Virgin de Guadalupe at Christ Church is an important part.

• Habitat for Humanity—the Dutchess County chapter, like its counterparts worldwide, attracts volunteers to build housing for families in need in the community.

• Meals on Wheels—this program delivers food to the elderly and ill, including AIDS patients, who are homebound.

• Volunteer Caregivers—this group provides assistance to folks who need help in getting to doctors, shopping for food and other tasks of daily living that they’re unable to perform for themselves.

• Greenhaven Prison Ministry—administered by the Church of the Living Hope, this is a new program and an offshoot of a successful effort as Sing Sing to provide college-level reading material and teaching to inmates. Our funds will go to purchase books.

Global ministries: $500 each to:

· The Heifer Project—this program provides agricultural aid in third world countries with the specific goal of sharing the fruits of gifts provided by the program, like seeds and animals, and nurtured by the people who receive the help.

· African Medical Mission—a project of the Episcopal Church, this program provides nourishing food to children who are living with their families on a dump in Umtata, the former capital of Transkei in South Africa. Our money will go a very long way there.

· AIDS in Uganda—the Anglican Diocese the surrounds Kampala, the capital, has a church-funded program to support village heath workers. Moses, the man in charge, has very limited funds, one motorcycle and more than 300 parishioners to cover. Our funding will help Moses and Edward, a local health worker, to buy medicines to take to Edward’s neighbors and supplies for his organic farm, where villagers with AIDS work when they’re able.

Community Ministry thanks to everyone in the Christ Church community for their extraordinary support of the church’s outreach efforts, in our neighborhood, our region and the world. We look forward to seeing you at the Silent Auction on Shrove Tuesday, March 4. See the article elsewhere in The Courier for details.

DIRECTORY UPDATE

We are in the process of updating the Church Directory. Please check your Parish Directory and make sure the information about your entry is correct. If there are any changes to be made, contact Diane Sherer at 471-5918 (there is an answering machine), or you can put your changes on this form and drop it in the mail slot in the Parish Office door. Also, you can e-mail Michele at christchurch@mindspring.com

Directory Names & Addresses Names of Children

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number:__________________________________________________________________

E-Mail address to be printed in the directory:____________________________________________

FEBRUARY ACOLYTE SCHEDULE

February 2 Irene Currie, Gracie Phillips, Steven Battaglia

February 9 Nick Currie, Michael Shepherd, Jennifer Coons

February 16 Chris Morgan, Irene Currie, Tiffany Shepherd

February 23 Robin Angstrom, Jason Gregorius, Derek Easton

FROM THE BATON OF LAURA RUSSELL, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Looking back at the New Year’s Day “Gift to the City” Concert

As a cold, gray rain fell on the City of Poughkeepsie, a diverse group of people gathered in the spiritual warmth of Christ Episcopal Church for a New Year’s Day “Gift to the City” interfaith choir concert that brought more than 150 souls together to express their faith in our common humanity and hope for a future together on this earth. They came to listen to choral music both from the Jewish and Christian sacred music traditions. In future years we hope to bring together musical groups who perform sacred music from a variety of faith traditions, including Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Native American, as well as a variety of music traditions within the Christian tradition such as gospel, contemporary, and Shakers.

This year’s concert featured three choirs: The Shalom Singers, a community-wide Jewish choir directed by Cantor Rena Shapiro from Temple Beth-El in Poughkeepsie; The Christ Church Choir, directed by Dr. Laura Ramsey Russell; and The Sacred Bridge Choir, and interfaith Jewish-Christian Choir co-directed by both Rena Shapiro and Laura Russell. The idea for the interfaith choir began shortly after the events of September 11^th when the two directors met during rehearsals for the Mozart Requiem benefit concert at Christ Church in November 2001. After that even Rena and Laura spoke of their desire to continue with an ongoing interfaith collaboration involving music and formed the Sacred Bridge Choir. The Sacred Bridge Choir sings musical settings by both Jewish and Christian composers of the Psalms and Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) in Hebrew and English as well as music with texts that stress peace, community, and our common humanity. Their first public performance took place in October 2002 at Vassar College where the Sacred Bridge Choir was invited as a guest choir to participate in the annual Dutchess County Interfaith Choir Concert. They look forward to singing more together in 2003.

Youth Choir

We are talking about starting a Youth Choir at Christ Church for people in 5^th to 12^th grade. They would rehearse once or twice a month right after coffee hour in the church, and would sing several times a year. If you know of any young people who might be interested, please call Laura Russell at the church office.

2003 Spring Concert Series at Christ Church

Sunday, February 9^th at 3:30pm: “Fantasies, Fanfares & Jigs: Oh My!” Organ Recital – John Sullivan

This concert will feature a selection of organ works by Bach, Bowen, Buxtehude, Callahan, Franck, Penfield and Shelby.

Saturday, February 22^nd at 3:30pm: Songs of Freedom, Healing and Forgiveness

Join the Christ Church Choir and guest pianist Ruthanne Schempf for an afternoon or choral music. The concert will include portions of the “Testament of Freedom” – a setting of some of the writings of Thomas Jefferson, musical settings of poems by Robert Frost, and several Spirituals. A service of Holy Eucharist follows the concert at 4:30, and a potluck supper at 5:30pm.

Sunday, March 2^nd at 3:00pm: Chamber Music for Woodwind Trio

Come hear the “Mistrial Trio” with Ann Churukian on oboe, Joanna Schroer on Clarinet, and Elisabeth Romano on bassoon as they play early 20^th century French music by Auric, Canteloube, Stravinsky, and Saint Saens.

Saturday, May 3^rd at 4:00pm: Christ Church Spring Choir Concert

Come hear the Christ Church Choir and Orchestra perform Mozart’s Solemn Vespers, Haydn’s “The Heavens are Telling”, Britten’s “Te deum” and Bruckner’s “Tota pulchra est”

All concerts are free and open to the public. Donations to the Music Concert Fund are always welcome!

Gift from Schlobach Trust to Aid Tower Restoration

Long time parishioners, George and Jeannette Schlobach left a trust to be disbursed in the Poughkeepsie area. Last fall, Bill Graff sent a copy of our tower restoration grant to the Trust’s administrator, Mr. Mark Dennis. Late in December, the parish office received notice that the Schlobach Trust would be contributing fifteen thousand dollars to the restoration work on the Christ Church steeple, and another five thousand dollars for the other capital projects, bringing the total gift from the Schlobach Trust to twenty thousand dollars.

For so many years, George and Jeannette contributed to the life and ministry if Christ Church. Because of their foresightedness and generosity, they continue to contribute to our basic needs, even in their death.

WINTER WEEKEND EUCHARIST

On Saturday, February 22, Christ Church will have the opportunity to gather for a variety of spiritual and social activities. The afternoon will begin with a concert at 3:30 pm in the nave. At 4:30, a liturgy for the Healing of Memories will be celebrated, using the same readings and sermon for the next morning. Immediately following the eucharist, a festive potluck dinner will be served and enjoyed in the Community Room. The room will remain available for those who wish to stay for board games, as the Saturday AA meeting will be moved to the Parish House. This is an excellent time to invite friends and neighbors who do not have a church “home” to see what Christ Church is all about.

BISHOP SISK VISIT TO GUADALUPE CONGREGATION

The Rt. Rev. Mark Sisk, Bishop of New York, will make his Episcopal visit to the Congregation of the Virgin of Guadalupe on Sunday, March 2 at 1 pm. Fr. Arnulfo has been busy this year preparing a class of youths for confirmation, and a group of adults to be received into the Episcopal Church. It is always a special occasion whenever the Bishop visits. Therefore, everyone is invited to attend.

(The Bishop will return on May 25 to bestow the sacrament of confirmation on our group of Youth Catechumens at the 10 AM service.)

SAVE THE DATES

Lenten Series Set for Wednesday Evenings

As is our custom, the Lenten series will return this year on Wednesday evenings during the season of Lent. The format will remain the same: “stand up eucharist” at 6pm, followed by dinner (bring a couple of bucks to throw in the basket,) a period of study and reflection, and concluding with the service of Compline, with and adjournment time of 8:30 pm. One of the Lenten exercises this year will be “Following a Modified Monk’s Rule of Life.” Details in the March issue of the “Courier.” (n.b. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5.)

Parish Reunion Set for May

The other date to save is Saturday, May 10^th when the Parish Life Episkopos will host a “Parish Reunion.” There will be music by the choir, evensong, a potluck dinner and more. Invited guests will include members of Christ Church whom we have not seen for awhile, and all of our previous clergy and music staff who are still living.

In addition to the reunion, the evening will mark the 115^th anniversary of public worship in our church building. We have just finished a successful capital campaign, and the Vestry is putting together plans to begin the capital projects. What better time to celebrate the great space we call our spiritual home! More details to follow. (For those who are keeping track of such things, in 2010 we will celebrate our 122th year at the corner of Academy and Barclay streets. This will equal the number of years Christ Church was located at our previous site, Market and Church streets.)

FROM THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

Dear Parents,

We welcome the New Year with a calendar of the curriculum for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd that will take us through the end of the school year. Each Sunday we will continue to learn about the life, work, and teachings of Jesus, our Good Shepherd. We will also learn more about the liturgy and ritual of our Episcopal eucharist. Please note the two Sundays that we will not be having Sunday School. We encourage you to bring your child to church with you on these Sundays to experience the full service.

Sincerely, Yours,

Jennifer Hammond-King

Cynthia Lee

SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Feb. 2: Baptism II: The Water and the Word.

Feb. 9: Baptism III: The Gestures of Baptism

Feb. 16: The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Feb. 23: The Parable of the Merchant & the Pearl of Great Price

Mar. 2: The parable of the Leaven

Mar. 9: The Altar: God’s presence in the Tabernacle and the Word

Mar. 16: Preparation of the Chalice

Mar. 23: The Gesture of Peace

Mar. 30: Revisiting our work with The Good Shepherd

Apr. 6: The Cenacle (The Last Supper)

Apr.13: (Palm Sunday): We will meet in the Community Room at 10:00 to receive our Psalms. We will then proceed to the Atrium to celebrate the Liturgy of the Light

Apr. 20: Easter – No Sunday School

Apr. 27: The Puzzle Map of the Holy Land

May 4: The topography of the Holy Land

May 11: The City of Jerusalem

May 18: To be announced

May 25: To be announced

June 1: Pentecost Celebration and last day of Sunday School

June 8: Pentecost – No Sunday School

“IN CASE YOU DIDN’T SEE THE ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER…

As reported in the Poughkeepsie Journal on 12/26/02:

Moms in prison get gift help…

By Rasheed Oluwa

Mothers inside the Beacon Correctional Facility were able to celebrate Christmas with their children thanks to the help of a few concerned community members.

Parishioners from the Christ Episcopal Church in Poughkeepsie and Trinity Episcopal Church in Fishkill collected nearly 500 gifts for 250 incarcerated women to give their children for Christmas.

“This is the first time that we’ve done it,” Deacon Mary Gregorius, of the Christ Episcopal Church said. “There was a parent-to-parent connection that was noticeable. It was very emotional.”

The gifts, delivered to the prison on Dec. 12, ranged from playing cards to board games.

Gregorius said the gifts were collected Dec. 1 after she had a conversation with Martha Gutowski, a parishioner at the Christ Episcopal Church.

Making a connection

Gutowski, who does prison ministry work, said she heard many concerns from parishioners who were unable to be with their children during the holiday season. “It’s hard for many of them to not be bale to get gifts for their children,” she said.

Parishioners delivered the gifts with a station wagon and mini-van.

They also supplied bows, cards and wrapping paper so mothers could wrap the gifts themselves.

“Our bishop (Mark Sisk) is big on supporting people in prison,” the Rev. James Heron, of the Trinity Episcopal Church, said. “Children who have parents in prison are the biggest victims in those situations.”

Although some parishioners are struggling with the shaky economy, Heron said he wasn’t surprised by the outpouring of support.

“The worse things get, the more generous people seem to be,” he said.

“I don’t know what I’d do if I were in any type of situation where I couldn’t get gifts to my kids. I think it was a situation that touched everybody,” Gregorius said.

WIRELESS MICROPHONES ENHANCE WORHSIP

With the tireless efforts of former Warden, Bob Scherer, we now have the two wireless microphones for use in the church. With the able assistance of Jim Bliss, the amplifiers were attached and adjusted in time for their “maiden voyage” at the baptism of David King on January 19^th. The microphones were purchased through the Memorial Fund.

David’s baptism also saw the first use of our new glass baptismal flagon, given by Mildred Botsford in memory of her family member Moor, Botsford, and Rieser.

Return to Couriers Page