The Courier

October 2002

Volume 55, Issue 10

On Campaign

Mostly behind the scenes members of the Vestry and other parish leaders have been preparing all summer for us to undertake a Capital Campaign this fall. The official kickoff will be next month in November, but you will begin to hear about certain aspects of it this month. It will be an important event in the life of this parish. I think it can also be an exciting time. The campaign is not really about buildings; it’s about people and about the future of Christ Church.

The Design Team a few years ago dreamed big. The feasibility study of last spring whittled those dreams down a bit, and now the actual campaign will identify what absolutely must be accomplished (you can learn more about the process of setting campaign project goals at the October 6 Adult Forum from 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.). The projects we need to complete are either for the purpose of responsible restoration of these treasured buildings or to help with parish growth.

A question we will all have to face at some point is, “How much should I pledge toward this campaign?” My own personal motto is, “Give till it feels good!” We can all give till it hurts; that’s easy. We all have bills to pay, plans to fulfill, and pleasures to enjoy. Pledging to the capital campaign may take some of those little extras away from us, and that might hurt. My recommendation is to go beyond the hurt and give till it feels good; give till you feel good about your support of Christ Church and about the work of the gospel proclaimed within and from this place we call our spiritual home. The dollar goal of the campaign is not ambitious. It is very manageable for a parish of our size and our means. So we go out to a restaurant one less time a month. Or maybe we don’t take that trip to New York City to take in a play or visit a museum. The improvements proposed in the campaign will make it all worthwhile. We will fee so good when we look up at the tower and see no trees! We will feel so good when we really hear the voices of our choir filling the nave of the church with the glorious sounds of sacred music. We will feel so good when our infants have a clean and attractive room during the Sunday morning activities. We will feel so good when off-street parking and enhanced exterior lighting make our buildings even more attractive and safe to our neighbors, who come here to find a moment of refuge from the trials of this world, or a community of hope during dark times. Christ Church has a well-respected reputation in the area as a place of caring and love. Let me quote from the summer newsletter of the Partners for Sacred Places:

People are recognizing the “faith-based institutions” play an important role in our community. [Our] message, however, is that congregations cannot sustain that role unless their own properties – which house 75% of all their outreach – are well cared for.

These are exciting times. The challenge is great. And in spite of a glorious past for Christ Church, I believe that our best times are still ahead of us.

Michael

A NOTE FROM GOD

October 6	Psalm 80	Isaiah 5:1-7	Philippians 3:14-21	Matthew 21:33-43
October 13	Psalm 23	Isaiah 25:1-9	Philippians 4:4-13	Matthew 22:1-14
October 20	Psalm 96	Isaiah 45:1-7	1 Thessalonians 1:1-1	Matthew 22:15-22
October 27	Psalm 1	Exodus 22:21-27	1 Thessalonians 2:1-8	Matthew 22:34-46

FROM THE WARDENS

At its August and September meetings, the Vestry:

• Passed a resolution to name the Community Room after Abba and Kay Newton;
• Accepted a report on the Winant Fund from an ad hoc committee chaired by Bill Graff and a proposal to include a clear report on the disposition of Winant funds that shows the extent to which those monies are applied to Christ Church’s community ministries;
• Renewed its commitment to our community ministries and our recognition of the Winant Fund’s significant contributions to them;
• Heard the Treasurer’s Report that shows the 2002 budget mostly on track, with significant increases in benefit premiums;
• Heard an update on the progress of the Capital Campaign, which is well on track as planned for the Fall;
• Made plans for its annual retreat in January, 2003.

Phyllis George, Sr. Warden

Peggy Kraft, Jr. Warden

FROM THE CHOIR DIRECTOR

Fall Concert Series

Sunday, 10/20 at 3:00 p.m. Dutchess County Interfaith Concert at Skinner Hall, Vassar College: Christ Church Choir members will perform as part of the “Sacred Bridge Choir”

Sunday, 11/10 at 4:00 p.m. “A Highly Romantic Afternoon” Benedikt Kellner, tenor and Maria Rivera White, piano: songs by Schumann, Berlioz, and Mahler

Sunday, 11/24 at 11:00 a.m. Cantata 140 by J. S. Bach “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme”: Christ Church Choir and Orchestra

Sunday, 11/24 at 4:00 p.m. Organ Recital: David Shuler, organ; sponsored by the American Guild of Organists: selection of baroque organ works.

NEW ADDRESS

James Monteith

Mail Drop #123

Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY 12604

(845) 471-1952

ADULT FORUM

The Adult Forum for October 20 will be about Community Ministry. We would like all members of the congregation to know about the programs and outreach we support. CME asks for your input, feedback and ideas for the future. Although the needs of the community, both local and global, are much greater than our ability to meet them, we act on behalf of the whole church, to offer programs (Summer Program and Climb the Beanstalk), a place to come to (Daybreak, PASWORD, AA, GALA, Dignity/Integrity, Mission Guadalupe, Community Chorus), and financial support/volunteers (Dutchess Interfaith Council, Larry Bill Timm Foundation, Kairos, Episcopal Relief and Development, Doctors without Borders, Heifer Society, DCCH [Shelter], Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Volunteer Care Givers, Rural and Migrant Ministry, Trinity Neighborhood Association, The Church Divinity School of the Pacific, New York Theological Seminary). Please plan to join us after the 10 o’clock service and share your thoughts.

HONORING KIRK RUMBLE

In honor of Kirk Rumble, the League of Women Voters is sponsoring a free workshop on how to improve your neighborhood. The workshop will be held on October 26 from 10-1 at the Oakwood Friends School Library, 22 Spackenkill Road, Poughkeepsie. Some of the workshop issues will be information on Open Space, Wetlands Preservation, Save a Tree of a Building, Traffic, among others. Refreshments will be served and free child care will be provided. For more information or to pre-register, please call Ellie Charwat at (845) 462-7061.

COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS

Wish List for Shelter Guests

Single size portions of shampoo Socks

Single size soap for showering Pajamas

Shaving cream Robes

Razors for both men and women Towels

Toothbrushes and toothpaste Washcloths

Feminine hygiene products First Aid supplies

Skin lotion Lip Balm

Wish List for Shelter Dormitory

Blankets Pillows

Sheets (twin) Pillow cases

Flip-flops Mattress covers

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

The DEADLINE for the October “Courier” is Sunday, October 20. Please bring items to the parish office, or you may e-mail articles to me at christchurch@mindspring.com

Thank you!

Michele Haynes

WELCOME TO THE CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

We have begun our Sunday School Program for our preschoolers, kindergartners and first graders, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The children have been introduced to our sacred space, the Atrium, where they will come to know God better in an atmosphere of prayer, song, play, and guided activities. Our work in the Atrium will focus on our relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The children will learn about the materials and rituals that are seen and experienced in church. Most importantly, they will develop their own spiritual lives in ways that are unique to the personality and developmental level of each child.

There are some things that are important for parents to know about our program. The Atrium is a sacred space for children, just as the church sanctuary is the sacred space for our parish. We will encourage the children to develop calm and quiet habits of body and mind while they are in this space. You should bring your child to the Atrium at 9:55. At 10:55, we will go back to church to be with our families for the Liturgy of the Eucharist and Communion. The children will enter the Church from the back (as quietly as possible) and come forward to sit with their families.

The schedule for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is printed below. Please note the Sundays that we will not be having class. On these Sundays, the children are welcome to spend the whole service in church with their families. Thank you for joining our program. We are very excited to offer this ministry to the young children of our parish and community.

Mrs. Jennifer Hammond-King

Mrs. Cynthia Lee

Sunday School Teachers

Schedule for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

(We will meet on Sunday mornings at 9:55 in the Atrium in the Parish House)

September 15	Introduction to the Atrium
September 22	The Prayer Table and Liturgical colors
September 29	No Catechesis (Joint service with St. Paul's)
October 6	The Altar
October 13	No Catechesis (Columbus Day Weekend)
October 20	Jesus is the Good Shepherd
November 3	The 23rd Psalm
November 10	The Land of Israel (topographical map of the Holy Land)
November 17	Puzzle Map of the Holy Land
November 24	Giving Thanks
December 1	The Prophecy of the Light
December 8	The Incarnation
December 15	The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
December 22	Birth of Jesus and the Adoration of the Shepherds
December 29	No Catechesis (Christmas Week)
January 5, 2003	The Adoration of the Three Kings
January 12	The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

We will give you a schedule for the rest of the year in January. Topics we will work on include Baptism, the liturgical calendar, more work with the Altar, and the parables.

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