The Courier
March 2002
Volume 55, Issue 3
A New Life in Christ
In the first few centuries after the death and resurrection
of Jesus, the Christian movement grew throughout
Christian communities served as the places where this new life was offered and nurtured. If someone showed interest in setting aside their former life, and seeking to construct a basis for a new life, the community would get involved. Some members of the community would be assigned to share the stories of faith with the candidate, or catechumen. Others would help assess his or her gifts and how best to put them to work within the local context as it relates to Christian values. In some cases converts would be retrained in a profession which would be consistent with the elements of faith. Often those who had undergone the preparations for admission to the community found that their identity had been so transformed that they needed to take a new name. The practice of taking a “Christian” name at baptism comes from the organic experience of converts feeling that they had become completely different people. They had a former life, and were known by one name, and now they had grown into a new life and therefore needed a new name to distinguish the two. The Christian community is called to celebrate Easter on one day during the year, and during one season. But it is called to live Easter every day.
The closest parallel I see to this approach today is in 12-step communities. People who find that their lives have become unlivable due to a particular element, or “substance” such as alcohol, drugs, work, etc. see out the community where a new life is available. These communities have developed a catechumenate (although they don’t call it that), a program by which life gone awry is transformed into a new and substantive life. The community supports the transformation process in all of its members and recognizes that the process is never completed. The level of support even extends to the highly personal, one-on-one, of a sponsor who is available at all times, but especially at those times when progress toward maintaining the new life and new identity seem to be in jeopardy.
I have not seen within the 12-step community the practice of taking on a new name; but on the other hand, the moment of turning around or conversion for most folks involved is very clear. Most people who participate in 12-step health can pinpoint the exact day that they took their first step toward a new life. They can say, for example, “I am 14 years clean”, or they will invite friends to attend an anniversary of their sobriety, etc.
12-step groups offer a way of life. The Christian church does as well. The point of Easter is not that Jesus rose
from the tomb to live again, and isn’t that great for him. The reason we sing “Alleluia” is that because
of his courage to accept death, and his demonstration of the new life granted
him by God, the same new life is available to us. Easter proclaims that Christ is risen and that we can rise with him to a new life of grace
and faithfulness. Easter does not just
happen one day a year. It occurs on all
days, all the time, and is open to all people.
This is good news, not only for you and me, but good news for the world
as well.
This much I know: peace will not come if we all stay the same as we are right now. It will only come if we change. May Christ give me the courage to begin that change with me, as well as the courage to offer that change, in His name, to others.
Michael
A Note from God
|
Lent III |
March 3 |
Cleansing of the |
Zechariah 14:16-21; Psalm 15; Mark 11:11-19 |
|
Lent IV |
March 10 |
Last Supper Sunday |
Exodus 16:1-7, 11-12; Psalm 14:12-25; Mark |
|
Lent V |
March 17 |
Arrest and Trial Sunday |
Psalm 37:1-18; Mark 14:10-11, 32-35, 43-64 |
|
Lent VI |
March 24 |
Crucifixion Sunday |
Zechariah 14:1-11; Psalm 18:1-20; Mark 15:1-5, 16-39 |
From the Warden
At its February meeting, the Vestry: Heard from our 501c3 (“The Center of the Square, Christ Church Community Center”) about a plan to recruit a “founders’ list” of donors to help fund the initial operation during the first six months of 2002; heard reports from the Episkopoi, the Rector, the Wardens, and the Deacon regarding the activities of the Parish; reviewed new Vision and Mission Statements and Values which will form the basis for guiding the Vestry’s leadership of the Parish in 2002. These will be finalized in March and reports in the Courier.
Also, the Vestry held a discernment retreat at
The first pan-Episkopos meeting
was held in February with a potluck supper provided by CME (in the usual fine
The search for a second Warden has finally succeeded. Our candidate is Peggy Kraft. An election will have been held by the time this Courier is published. Please give her your full support. We are fortunate indeed to have her gifts available to us in this role.
Submitted by,
Phyllis George, Senior Warden
Habitat for Humanity
Do you know that you can be denied a mortgage application
because you make “too much money”? This
is true with Habitat for Humanity. In
The reason for such an unimaginably low price is that construction labor is offered by ordinary, as well as professional, volunteers. Often the materials are also donated by the stores and suppliers. The land is purchased with the people’s and corporate donations. The market value may be two or three times that. Recently, one of the habitat houses built here 6 years ago was sold for $160,000, because the family can now afford a larger house with a conventional commercial mortgage.
There is also a minimum income to qualify: $17,000 per year. With little or no income, it is hard to maintain a house at any price.
Sam Im
Congratulations!
Congratulations are given to Mary & Harvey Flad on the birth of their granddaughter, Serena Sophia Lewis, who was born on February 21, and to Bob & Patty Carter on the birth of their second son, Kyle Raymond Carter, who weighed in at 8 lbs. 3 oz. and was 20” long.
New
If you haven’t checked out our new website, you’re missing a lot! Our new web address is www.christchurchpok.org.
You will now be able to access information such as
upcoming church and music events, Michael's sermons, information on
church activities, a “virtual historical tour” of the church’s architecture, and
even read The Courier on-line! Carol Lundergan, a member of our choir,
created the site and is the “official”
If you have any news and/or information that you would like to see on the website, please contact Carol at 256-1841 or e-mail her at soprano.one@verizon.net. You can also send Carol any comments, suggestions, complaints, or ideas on improving the site. Happy surfing!
Newsletter Deadline
The DEADLINE for the April “Courier” is Sunday, March 17. Please bring items to the parish office, or you may e-mail articles to me at christchurch@mindspring.com. Thank you!
Michele Haynes
Remembering David Toomey, Rector – 1985 to 1993
The series that we have been sponsoring on past rectors of
In the Parish Profile of October, 1984, the Search Committee clearly identified parishioners’ desire for a rector who would be “a good preacher who conducts effective worship; who gives considerable time to visiting parishioners at critical times in their lives, and who acts as a counselor.” They did NOT want a Rector “with skills or interests in evangelism, or with substantial participation in Diocesan and National Church Affairs or in World Affairs.” The parish supported a strong outreach, specifically “the goals affirmed that parish social ministry was community-wide, but recognized a growing need for more involvement in the immediate neighborhood.”
David Toomey was called and
arrived with Lindsey and daughters, Nathalie and Elizabeth, in June, 1985. According to parishioners, he was “very good
with people” and “incredibly charming”.
Consequently, people felt that he was very “approachable” and “accessible”. Many characterized him as “compassionate”. One parishioner describes her experience with
Toomey as follows:
“David had been here only a year when my mother died in the
Toomey was a good preacher whose
sermons were full of stories and imaginative imagery. Sometimes the images came from baseball as he
was an avid Red Sox fan and he often worked that into his sermons, and at other
times the stories were literally more “down to earth”, as in the instance when
he took a fall while hiking alone and was rescued by a group of Girl Scouts
whom he described as “angels in disguise”.
People interviewed “loved his sermons” and described them as “challenging
and thoughtful”, and apparently alternating preaching with Richard Witt
provided a good balance for the congregation.
In terms of education, Toomey provided a
strong clergy focus on children’s formation in
Obviously he was a “people person” who continued the
Nevertheless, much in the way of projects was accomplished
by the rector and the laity during his time.
Continuing in the paths of Rhys Williams and
John Kater’s commitment to outreach and social
justice, Toomey facilitated the Homeless Shelter,
established a close connection with Clinton School, and created the South
African connection with sabbaticals, and housing and support for Marist
students Phillip Maleka and Tebogo
Molefe and for Kenyan refugees, the Kanyike family. He
also recognized, and was receptive to, the needs of Dignity and Integrity and
the Latino community for permanent spiritual homes. Both groups had rapidly outgrown their house
church capacity, and in June 1989 and in 1991 respectively, they began
worshipping in
David and Lindsay’s commitment to
Nancy Ranger with Mary Lou Crown, Peggy Kraft, Marge &
Jim Bliss, Louise Im, Evie Fortna, and Martha Gutowski
Facsimile of Letter
from the Episcopal Diocese of
And he said “With what can we compare the kingdom of God …? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” Mark 4: 30-32
Then years ago a Latino family invited the rector at
As many of you may know, Latinos are one of the fastest
growing populations in our area. They
include families from
The Latino Ministry program assists the families with their
spiritual needs and their acculturation.
Our pastor/sacramentalist Father Arnulfo Arambulo is the celebrant
for the Latino congregations in
Our program director Mark Como provides families with basic social services such as cross-cultural education, English classes, consultation and referral concerning immigration issues, and interface with social service, educational and governmental agencies. Mark’s work involves mingling with the Latino community at their restaurants and stores, getting to know people, gaining their trust and providing services. Our families rely on Mark who is fluent in Spanish. His work often serves as an entryway to the spiritual communities.
The program has plans to expand into the more rural areas such as Dover Plains and Red Hook as the Latino population grows in those areas.
Although our families contribute what they can, their financial resources are very limited. The Congregational Support Plan provides compensation for both of our Latino priests. Episcopal Charities and Board of Managers provides the salary for our Program Director. A committee of Regional Council secures funding for staff salaries. We rely on the generosity of the parishes and people of the Mid-Hudson Region to provide program expenses. Contributions to support program expenses such as liturgical music education, and cultural orientation, can be sent to me at the address below. Please help our mustard seed continue to grow. Thank you for your help.
Johanna Shafer
Administrator
Mid-Hudson Region Latino Ministry
St. Patrick’s Day
Dinner Dance
The annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner, sponsored by the Dutchess County Coalition for the Homeless, will be held on
Saturday, March 16, at St. James Church in
Evie Fortna
Youth Catechumenate
The following are the dates that the Youth Catechumenate Group will be meeting:
v
v
v
Please mark your calendars.
Thank you,
Jackie Vierno
Waging Reconciliation
Waging Reconciliation
in the Holy Land was the topic
of an all-day conference in
Thank You
Dear Everyone, thank you very much
for your donations to
The Auction was very successful, giving us about $3,500 for the Summer Program and the Climb the Beanstalk after-school sessions. Your gifts were beautiful, original and valuable.
The evening was a joyous occasion.
Thank you,
The Auction Committee
Lenten Series
Wednesday evenings, beginning February 20, the following Lenten Series will begin:
A. Examination and Comparison of the Passion stories in the Bible
B. Fundamentalism as a global factor
Please join us for any or all parts of these evenings. For purposes of food and/or study materials, please sign up with Michele in the Parish Office if you’re planning to attend dinner and/or a study session.
Thank you,
Marge Bliss
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 e-mail Michele at christchurch@mindspring.com. Please include the following information:
Name(s)
Address(es)
Names of children
Phone Number
E-Mail Address
From the Baton of Laura Russell, Choir Director
The Lenten musical offerings will closely parallel Father Michael's Lenten
readings, with the hymns and anthems reflecting the meaning and significance of
the events of Jesus' life and the Passion story. Spreading out the events
of Holy Week for the six weeks of Lent will give us an opportunity to more
fully explore the beautiful and moving music written to express the deep
meaning of these events.
Return to Courier On-Line Page