The Courier

April 2003

Volume 56, Issue 4

It Is For This We Sing Alleluia

This year, the month of April holds the principal feast and celebration of the Christian faith: Easter. The point of Easter, the point of Good Friday, the point of Holy Week, the point of Lent, the point of the entire church calendar is that Christ leads us through the devastation we sometimes experience to a new level, a new life. A breakdown leads to a breakthrough. At no time during the year, is the celebration of this faith more intense or more obvious than during the week from Palm Sunday to Easter Day. However, we live this faith constantly. In fact, some might say, this is all that we do at Christ Church.

For example, some people could look at the Summer Camp and see it as a nice, safe diversion for neighborhood children during the summer months in between the end of school in the spring and the start of school in the fall. On any given day such a viewpoint would be reinforced to the casual observer. However, if we look just a little closer, we would see a diverse group of children and adults taking the time to get to know each other, to share who they are and what their life is about. We would see the arguments and differences resolved in ways that respect the dignity of everyone involved, and that take violence away as a viable option. We would see children learning the skills that needed to talk through their feelings, finding comfort and support. We would see both counselors and children growing into a new way of interaction, a new way of living.

Another example comes from the homeless shelter. To the casual observer, the shelter appears to be a one night stop and relief to a handful of people who find themselves in an unfortunate circumstance. The shelter looks like a caring and compassionate place, but ultimately a “band-aid” that must be applied night after night. Instead, the shelter is a doorway into a comprehensive program to move individuals and families from homelessness, through various levels of temporary housing, to home ownership! Hudson River Housing can take people from the nightmare of homelessness to the fulfillment of the American dream.

A third example can be seen in the Latino ministry in which we share. Immigrants are flooding into the United States and the Hudson Valley from Latin America, especially southern Mexico. They are seeking a better life for themselves and their children. They come to work and to be safe. When they arrive in Poughkeepsie, they can come to Christ Church and find a worship experience that is comfortable to them because it is familiar. But they can also find help to learn how to get along in the culture that surrounds them; a culture which is foreign and puzzling. In the United States they will find opportunity. At Christ Church they will find welcome. They anxiety, the fear, the worry, the loneliness, the struggle of immigrating turns into real help and companionship when they find themselves welcomed. They might have come to get ahead financially, but they discover that they have a place here. Their lives are renewed.

Through reading, music, prayer, sacrament, and the sharing of a meal, we are encourages to live anew. It is no secret that leaving behind our former selves is difficult. Our carefully crafted and protected former selves, no matter how destructively those selves may behave; it is difficult to change. That difficulty is represented in the cross of Christ, and it leads to Easter, and a new life. We are called to take our own crosses up daily, and each time we do, it gives us another example of God’s powerful activity in our lives.

Examples abound; just open your eyes a little wider, and look beyond casual observation. God’s spirit will settle for nothing less than a new and gracious life for all of God’s people. For this we gather weekly, for this we give and pray and labor, for this we sing “Alleluia.”

Michael

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

4/13 Palm Sunday 8am & 10am HE (No Adult Forum)

4/15 Tuesday 4:30pm- Youth Catechumenate to watch “Jesus ChristSuperstar”

4/17 Maunday Thursday 2-4pm- Plant Garden of Gethsmane

7:30- Foot Washing and HE

(bi-lingual)

4/18 Good Friday Liturgy at Noot

4/19 Easter Vigil Sundown (8pm)

4/20 Easter Sunday 8am & 10am HE

A Note from God

April 6	Psalm 51	Jeremiah 31:31-34	Hebrews 5: (1-4)5-10	John 12:20-33
April 13	Psalm 118:19029	Isaiah 45:21-25	Philippians 2:5-11	Mark 11:1-11a
April 18 Good Friday	Psalm 22:1-21	Isaiah 52:13-53:12	Hebrews 10:1-25	John (18:1-40) 19:1-37
April 20	Psalm 114	Acts 10:34-43	Romans 6:3-11	Matt. 28:1-10
April 27	Palm 111	Acts 3:12a, 13-15, 17-26 Acts 3:12a, 13-15, 17-26	1 John 5:1-6	John 20:19-31

From the Warden

At the March 18, 2003 Vestry Meeting the vestry received the 2003 Annual Fund report from Sally Vasse and Don Moore. Our fund drive was very successful with a 7.8% increase in giving over 2002. The total amount pledged is $197,323.00! Many, many thanks to all of us who care so deeply about our church. Special thanks are due to Sally and Don, as well as the energetic group of devoted volunteers who worked on the Annual Fund and the Capital Campaign. However, our financial woes are not ober, as the cash drawn from our endowment has been decreased doe to the reduced performance of our portfolio in the challenging times.

Hal Gregorius, Capital Projects Team leader, is following a vestry directive by laying the foundation for the first phase of our capital campaign with “Grounds that Welcome”. Together with the rector and warden, Hal has interviewed and met with architects, landscape architects and surveyors. We are excited, eager and ambitious! We would love to see this portion of the capital campaign completed in time for the Summer Program and BachFest! Kudos to Hal for his leadership!

Bill Graff, in conjunction with the rector, has been devoting endless hours to the securing of funds for the restoration of our tower. “A Tower Kept Strong” demands energy, perseverance and toleration of frustration. Bill’s “Show and Tell” of tower stone/debris during the vestry meeting highlighted the urgency of this project. Joe Crown gave his last treasurer’s report to the vestry! He received a loud round of applause for his tireless, faithful and gentle work. His famous last words “Watch the cash flow” have special meaning for our new treasurer Lloyd Lee. Thank you Joe for a job well done!

Peggy Kraft, Senior Warden

Silent Auction was a Success!

Thanks to all who donated lovely and interesting items and services. We hope after all the money comes in, to have made around $3,000 toward the Summer Camp and Climb the Beanstalk. The pancakes were delicious, thanks to Peter Winne and his crew.

Thank you, The Silent Auction Committee

Can you Dig the Groovy, Psychedelic Electronic Christ Church Courier?

Now that email is fairly common and widespread, we are able to send the monthly “Courier” to your email address instead of your postal address. All you need to do is return the form below to the parish office, or phone (or email) the same information to Michele, parish secretary. Carol Lundergan and Michael Wood, computer geniuses, will be doing all the technical work. The advantages are as follows:

1. It will save paper, ink, postage, and photocopy expenses.

2. It will save hours of staff time, folding and collationg.

3. If you do not live in the “12601” zip code, you will receive your “Courier” well before the post office could deliver it.

4. If you want a “hard copy” you can print it out at home.

5. You can forward it electronically o your friends.

Electronic Courier Registration Form

______Yes, Carol and Michael, please send my monthly “Courier to my email account below:

email address:______________________________________________

your name:_________________________________________________

A Note from the Treasurer

Some of you already know, the Vestry in February elected me to replace Joe Crown as parish treasurer. You may also know that I’m a historian, without experience in business, and never an accountant. On the other hand, I was treasurer of the New Paltz College Credit Union (and learned a lot from my first federal audit!) in its early years; I also served as informal auditor of Christ Church before we turned to professional auditors.

Joe Crown has left a remarkable record for which we should all be most appreciative. So do not expect any dramatic changes. I will be glad to answer your questions about the parish budget, but please allow me a few months to get a better hold on our budgetary process.

What is my role? The Christ Church treasurer is responsible for overseeing that the account of parish income and expenditures are accurate and up to date, adhering to the budget as approved by the Vestry, and for working with the Vestry in preparing annual budgets.. Our Sources of income derive from several sources: endowments, pledges, grants, special fund raising, etc. All of this information is available to anyone who wishes to see it. As treasurers in the past, I will be making periodic reports to keep you informed as to how your/our money is spent.

Thank you,

Loyd Lee

Acolytes April Schedule

April 6 Irene Currie, Chris Morgan, Jennifer Coons

April 13 Palm Sunday – Jason Gregorius, Gracie Phillips, William Herrero

April 17 Maunday Thursday – 7:30pm Service – Chris Morgan, Jennifer Coons

April 19 Saturday, Easter Vigil, 8pm – Nick Currie (Server), Adam Gregorius (thurifer), Steven Battaglia (torchbearer), Michael Shepherd (torchbearer)

April 20 Easter Sunday – Robin Angstrom, Gracie Phillips, William Herrero

April 27 Jason Gregorius, Derek Easton, Alice Friedle

HILLCREST HOUSE

One Night at Hillcrest House

© 2003

David L. Newsome

Christ Episcopal Church

Poughkeepsie NY

The following is a factual account of a night spent at Hillcrest House. It is written in response to questions by several parishioners about what it is like to spend a night there.

The evening started quietly, Debbie Easton and myself chatting before the guests arrived; she tending to the food, keeping it warm for serving. Their arrival was marked by a joyous enthusiasm for the shower, food, and a warm bed among the younger. One young man came quickly into the dining room, wanting to see if some juice he had left the day before was still there in the refrigerator. No. The older members of the group, like on slim, older man just visibly, silently relieved to have this shelter for the night; silently caring for his meager possessions – all on his lap and the table.

The supervisor had them quickly sorted into their beds and explained the laundry procedures: colored clothes in the barrels and into the big commercial washer; the white things into the smaller washer in the closet. Toiletries were dispensed; one man needed a razor, which was later collected and disposed. The guests gradually filtered through the dining room after showers and Debbie and I were busy serving dinner while keeping and eye on the laundry just there.

The guests are all tired from being out on the streets all day and the bedroom in quiet. The dishwasher is running and we turn our attention to the clothes. Debbie is a whiz at folding and I learned a neat way to do that efficiently from her. By the time the first batch is out of the commercial dryer and folded it is already late, after midnight. Debbie, who cares for three lovely children in addition to working a regular job, begins to show signs of some weariness. I, on the other hand, had a delicious, luxurious nap that afternoon and am wired. She eventually, with regret, accepts my suggestion of some sleep on the folding cot.

That last load in the drier provided me with an adventure. (I am mindful of an essay written by the British author, G. K. Chesterton, entitled, On Chasing After Your Own Hat. In it, he argues that a misfortune rightly seen is an adventure while an adventure, wrongly seen is a misfortune.)

There was an elegant black satin garment whose latch had lodged in the small holes in the stainless dryer drum. It was a lightly padded garment of the type my second wife preferred to wear in savage Wall Street corporate meetings. I thought of just yanking on it but its wearer was doubtless proud of this one-time pricey thing that may add something important to her self respect these days. Loosing it eventually meant climbing into the drum, feeling somewhat like a feckless, fumbling youth. And the dryer didn’t help.

The rest of the night was quiet but for a bit of coughing by one guest. And there in the wee hour was Debbie again, working over some scrambled eggs. I helped with bacon on a tray in the oven while the guests straggled in for breakfast. Together, we had the table cleared, cleaned and the dishwasher loaded before the 7:00 o’clock departure van arrived.

There was snow that morning. Debbie and I worked together to clear our cars for the trip home and I crashed for the day, satisfied and pleased with my own efforts and the company of a dedicated, cooperative soul like Debbie.

From the Baton of Laura Russell, Music Director

Handbells: Please talk to John Sullivan if you are interested in being a “ringer” during Lent.

Concert CDs available: If you were unable to attend the February 3^rd Choral Concert, Songs of Freedom, Healing and Forgiveness, you may purchase a CD if the choir’s performance from Laura Russell. To order a CD just leave your name with Michele in the church office.

Memorial Concert: Monday, April 14^th at 8:00pm at Christ Church to honor the memory of Dr. Jeffery Perchick. Music for piano, violin and cello: Bach, Debussy, Tchaikovsky. Free.

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

Come hear the Christ Church Choir and Orchestra perform choral works by Mozart, Haydn, Bruckner, and others.

Spring Forward

Remember to set your clocks ahead on SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 5 so you will not be late for services on Sun day, April 6.

The DEADLINE for the May, for the May, 2003 “Courier” is Sunday, April, 20. Please bring items to the parish office or you may e-mail articles tome at Christchurch@mindspring.com

Thank you! Michael Haynes

Rural and Migrant Ministry Walk to Albany

On Easter Day, a small group of farmworkers and supporters will begin a journey by foot to Albany. They will highlight the inadequate New York State Lays, regulating agricultural workers. Our Youth Catechumens will join the Walk on Saturday, April 26 from 8:30 to Noon. They invite everyone in the parish to join them. Speak to one of our youths for details.

Capital Projects Team (CPT)

The CPT is authorized by the Vestry to manage the Capital Campaign projects and present plans to the Vestry for approval. At its first meeting it recommended to the Vestry that all monies owed to the Endowment Fund be repaid. The Vestry approved.

Its next project will be fulfilling the Campaign promises in the “Grounds that Beautify” section. Numerous landscape architects have been interviewed, and a topographical survey of the entire block has been completed. Parish and neighborhood presentations are scheduled prior to Vestry consideration.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

Come one and all to the Parish Breakfast on Sunday, April 6, which will be sponsored by the Board and Volunteers of Climb the Beanstalk, an afternoon reading program for 1^st graders at Clinton Elementary School. Enjoy good food and conversations. See how enriched your life can be by saying YES to volunteering as a reading partner for a 1^st grader.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of Climb the Beanstalk. Please know that we do not take any of your efforts for granted.

Looking forward to seeing and talking to you on April 6.

Warm regards,

Rose Marie Proctor

Director

Spring Fundraiser

An Evening of Dinner and Theatre

On April 26, Parish Life will be holding its first fundraiser. The money raised will be used to fund the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program. It is a combined dinner and theatre event. We will begin by serving dinner in the Community Room of Christ Church starting at 6pm. Then we will caravan over to the nearby Bardavon Opera House where we will see The Eileen Ivers Band. The show begins at 8pm.

Cost: $45 per ticket includes dinner and the show.

Eileen Ivers “has established herself as the world’s pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle. Backed by her brilliantly versatile band, Eileen creates programs that showcase a unique Irish-fusion sound, drawing upon a wide range of musical styles while remaining true to Celtic traditions.”

A sign up list will be kicking around on a clipboard near and about Michelle’s office. So put this post-Easter date in your calendar. This event is open to everyone, so please help is by selling tickets to your friends, neighbors, family and co-workers. This is an opportunity to reciprocate some of your social engagements, and help Christ Church at the same time! Call James Monteith for further details at 471-1952.

Timing is Everything

First, this message is a profoundly grateful “THANK YOU” from the chairs and workers in the campaign for the Christ Church Annual Fund 2003. It is also about timing.

The generosity and faithful promise of your financial pledge will provide the income that makes possible the ongoing life of the active corporate community that is our parish.

It is difficult to speak about church in financial terms, but unwise not to do so because without our annual giving and donations to special activities, we could not be a church.

This year, even with a very successful Capital Campaign, your response to the Annual Fund drive was generous, and makes it possible to continue the vibrant life of this parish while the Capital Campaign Projects are going forward to make much needed physical improvements.

Here’s how we – you – did, in the numbers that we are very, very grateful to be able to report, This year:

• Pledges to the 2003 Annual Fund total $197,323, an increase of 7.8 percent over the $183,028 pledged in 2002.
• 114 parishioners (or “pledging units”) contributed a pledge. The average pledge is $1730, a 6.8 percent over the $1620 average from 113 pledge units in 2002
• 11 pledges are from new members, joining us since January 2002.
• Members who had not made a pledge in 2002 contributed 11 new pledges.

There is one more thing to do. Here is where the timing comes in. Just as a regular paycheck or other income source is what you depend on to pay your bills, the cash flow from pledge payments is the source of funds your parish depends on. The Parish Treasurer uses those funds to pay our church’s bills, almost all of which are due just as regularly as yours

When you returned a pledge card, you were asked to check whether you would make your pledge weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually. Put all the pledge cards together and you have not only the annual budget for Christ Church, but also our cash flow. Most of us make our pledge payments weekly or monthly. Offering envelopes are provided. If you don’t have yours, call Michele Haynes in the church office. They are probably waiting for you!

Please be faithful to the schedule you indicated on your pledge card. If you are going to be away, fulfill your pledge by paying it ahead. If you miss coming to church on a Sunday, mail in your pledge if it is expected in the schedule you set. Electronic transfer is also available. Contact the parish treasurer to make arrangements for this method of payment. Your pledge matters as we work together to build God’s kingdom on earth, and to fulfill the mission of Christ Church to “do Christ’s work in the world.”

“All things come of Thee, O Lord. And of Thine own have we given Thee.”

--Book of Common Prayer

“Where you treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

--Luke 12:34

From Don Moore and Sally Vasse

Co-Chairs of the Annual Fund/Stewardship Campaign for 2003

March 15, 2003

Christ Church Neighborhood Summer Camp News

Calling all Campers! Registration packets for Christ Church Neighborhood Summer Camp 2003 are now available in the church office. You can register through the mail from April 1 to May 1 or in person on Wednesday, May 7 at 6:00 PM in the Christ Church Parish House. Children ages six to eleven may apply. This year our day camp will run from June 30 through August 8: six weeks of crafts, games, songs, stories, swimming, sports, and field trips for some 55 children. The camper fee is $275.00, with half of the amount due at the time of registration and the balance due by June 1. Partial scholarships are available for those who qualify. We are hoping that more children from Christ Church and Our Lady of Guadalupe will want to be part of the fun this year! Call 471-3068 for more information or to request a registration packet.

If you want to help the summer camp but aren’t sure what to do, here are five suggestions:

1. Make a contribution. We need money for scholarships, field trips, supplies etc. Donations of any size are appreciated! 2. Host a volunteer from England. Each year two young persons from England are place in our camp as counselors. We would like to find housing near the church, if possible. See Diane Sherer if you are interested. 3. Donate children’s books (appropriate for grades 1-5) to the camp library. 4. Help with the barbecue. We are planning a barbecue during the middle of the camp session for campers and their families, as well as for church members. Bill Bornander will be organizing the crew. 5. Volunteer to help out during the camp session. We need drivers for field trips, etc. More details will be forthcoming as planning for this year’s program gets underway.

Talk to Margaret Dietsche or Sally Taylor if you have any questions. Thank you for you help!

The Summer Camp Committee

Directory Update

The following are additions to the 2003 Directory:

Phyllis & Mike George Father Arnulfo Arambulo

e-mail should be: New address:

pmgeorge.worldnet@att.net 231 City View Terrace

Kingston, NY 12401

Tending our Treasures

Thank you all again for your generous commitment to the Tending Our Treasure campaign.

Please allow this notice to serve as a reminder that the end of the first quarter is near. Those of you who have indicated that you with to make quarterly payments should make them by the end of March. We will not contract you for the improvements unless there are adequate funds in the account.

Thank you,

The Capital Campaign Committee

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