The Courier

August 2002

Volume 55, Issue 8

 

Why the Tower?

 

As we anticipate a capital campaign this fall, one of the top priorities approved by the Vestry is the restoration of our steeple, or church tower.  Since this building is a non-functional structure, that is, it provides no useful ministry space such as meeting rooms or worship area, some of us might feel that in these tight economic times spending money on the restoration of the tower may not be the best use of funds.  In this month’s Courier I would like to share some of the details regarding the high priority given to this project.

 

Seven years ago, when I drove up to Christ Church for the first time as rector, I looked out to survey our buildings.  When my gaze reached the tower I was disturbed to notice a few small trees growing out of its top.  “Not a good sign,” I said to myself, “we’ll have to do something about that some day.”  The reason that tree seeds have been able to take root and grow in the tower is that over the years, weathering has deteriorated the mortar between the stones, allowing a “foothold” for the seeds, and supplying sufficient moisture to support growth.  As the years progress, the trees grow larger.  The larger the trees grow, the worse the situation is for the long-term life of the steeple.

 

A few years ago the “Design Team” entertained all sorts of options regarding the steeple.  The options included: (1) demolition and removal; (3) lowering the tower to a “portico” for vehicle drop-off; and (3) full restoration.  Since it was determined that the cost of taking it down almost equaled the cost of restoration, and since we surmised that the steeple held great symbolic power for Christ Church, the City of Poughkeepsie, and the neighborhood, the Design Team recommended that the structure be kept and restored.  Our architect, Kevin Lichten, commented that to demolish the tower would on one level be admitting defeat.

 

Since that time, the Vestry has taken up the challenge to place the restoration of the tower high on the priority list.  The cost of renovation is estimated to be just under $400,000.  We hope that we will be able to secure outside grant money for a substantial part of that estimate.  Bill Graff has already submitted such proposals and plans to continue that process with the help of others, including Noel DeCordova and Mary Flad.  If we had to pay the entire bill, our fall campaign would be devoted entirely to the restoration of the tower.  Every dollar in grant money will free up a dollar from our capital campaign for use in spaces which support ministry.  One thing in our favor is that our building is historically significant, and we hope to appeal to preservationists for monetary help in maintaining the tower.  The style of architecture is important, and the original architect, William Potter, was well known and respected.  Kevin Lichten believes that Christ Church is Mr. Potter’s only work in the Mid-Hudson Valley.

 

With the good work of our Vestry in securing outside grants, and everyone’s generosity during the capital campaign, I’m confident that the restoration of the tower will proceed without breaking the bank.  The first step in the restoration process, the drawing of specifications that can be handed to a contractor, has already been completed with the help of outside funding.  For me, however, it comes down to this:  If I, or any one of us, had trees growing out of the roofs of our homes, we would not wait seven years to take care of the problem.  Every season we put this project off, the bigger the problem becomes.  We have been given a treasure in these buildings we use and enjoy.  We are stewards of this wonderful and sacred space.  I suspect that when the work is completed, another major renovation will not be needed for another hundred years or so.  We will be saving future generations from dealing with this necessity and freeing them up to pursue direct ministries.  The day for taking care of the tower and its problems has arrived.  The “some day” I envisioned upon my arrival back in 1995 is now.

 

Michael

 

P.S.:  I will take vacation time on Sunday, August 18 and Sunday, September 1.  On the 18th, we will have Morning Prayer followed by communion from the reserved sacrament.

 

On September 1 we will have a Shared Eucharist with St. Paul’s.  The 8:00 a.m. service will be at Christ Church; 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s.

 

A NOTE FROM GOD

August 4           Psalm 78:1-29              Nehemiah 9:16-20                    Romans 8:35-39                       Matthew 14:13-21

July14              Psalm 29                      Jonah 2:1-9                              Romans 9:1-5                           Matthew 14:22-33

July 21             Psalm 67                      Isaiah 56:1(2-5)6-7                  Romans 11:13-15,29-32          Matthew 15:21-28

July28              Psalm 138                    Isaiah 51:1-6                            Romans 11:33-36                     Matthew 16:13-20

 

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

The DEADLINE for the September “Courier” is Sunday, August 18. Please bring items to the parish office, or you may e-mail articles to me at christchurch@mindspring.com

 

Thank you!

 

Michele Haynes

 

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME

HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES GAME

The annual Christ Church Renegades outing will be on Wednesday, August 14, 2002. They are playing the Staten Island Yankees.

Tickets are $13.00. The price includes a meal of: hamburgers, hotdogs, cheeseburgers, beans, chips, fruit and soft drinks.

We will meet up at Christ Church at 5:15pm and car pooi it to the Game. The picnic starts at Dutchess Stadium at 6pm. The game itself starts at 7:11pm James Monteith will have tickets on Sundays and Michelle will have them during the week. Make your check payable to Christ Church. Cash will also be accepted. James Monteith is organizing the event. Call him at 339-0881 if you have any questions.  It is a fun event - rain or shine!!!

 

MUSIC AT CHRIST CHURCH:  SUMMER 2002

Christ Church will host two days of the third annual Hudson Valley BachFest on August 10 and 11.  There are two concerts on Saturday at Christ Church.  The afternoon concert begins at 3:30 p.m. and features the BachFest Chamber Choir performing Cantata 106 and Jesu, meine Freude.  Choir member Carol Lundergan will also sing the Wedding Cantata.  The evening concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and will feature choruses and arias from the St. Matthew Passion sung by the BachFest Choir, conducted by Laura Ramsey Russell, and accompanied by a professional orchestra.  The choir includes 75 adult members from all over the Hudson Valley, representing 48 choral groups: 16 community choirs, 21 religious choirs, and 11 school or college choruses.  New this year is the BachFest Children’s Choir, a group of more than 30 young singers aged 8 to 17.  They will join with the adult choir for portions of the St. Matthew Passion.  For the concerts, there is a suggested donation at the door of $7.00.  Christ Church will also hold a “Bach Service” on Sunday morning, August 11, at 9:00 a.m.  This Eucharist service will include hymns by Bach and, following the service, there will be an extended Postlude Concert of instrumental and vocal music by Bach.  For more information about the programs, call Laura at (845) 485-1648 or visit the website at www.hudsonvalleysocietyformusic.org.

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION

September is just around the corner, and Sunday school classes will begin before you know it.  Did you know that you can register your children for our Sunday school program on-line?  You can access the Christ Church website (www.christchurchpok.org) and click on the "Sunday School" link, where you'll find information about our different Sunday school programs.  Click on the on-line registration form link, complete a separate form for each child, and your children will be enrolled ... quick and easy! 

 

We look forward to working with your children this coming year.  If you have any questions about the Sunday school programs or about the on-line registration form, you can call the church office at 452-8220.

 

Carol Lundergan

 

CHRIST CHURCH SUMMER CAMP - 2002

We are still accepting contributions for Christ Church Summer Camp 2002, in session from July 1 through August 9. We have planned an exciting summer, but we need your help to make it happen. This year we face a special challenge; the free lunch program is not available locally during either the first or last week of camp. Can you help? We need donations to buy food for these two weeks, as well as contributions to cover materials, scholarships, and special activities. Contributions of any size are appreciated! We also need drivers for special activities and volunteers to assemble simple lunches. If you are available, please contact Michele at the Church Office.

 

Thank you!

 

The Summer Camp Committee

 

FROM THE CAMP DIRECTOR

Greetings from the Christ Church Summer Camp!  We are approaching our fourth week of operation and are having a great time.  In our four weeks, we have already gone on three field trips: sailing on the Hudson River, learning at the Norrie Point Environmental Center, and playing at the Children’s Museum.  We are looking forward to the coming weeks for more camp fun and excitement!

 

Torry Walley, Camp Director

 

 

FROM THE WARDENS

At the July meeting, the Vestry:

  • deferred final action on the Sexual Misconduct Policy pending further information about legal ramifications;
  • heard about a bequest to Christ Church from Bob Raymond’s estate;
  • heard about a plan for a joint celebration with St. Paul’s of the first Eucharist of that parish;
  • discussed steps to be taken in conducting the Capital Campaign during the fall of 2002.

 

Phyllis George, Senior Warden

 

 

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