The Courier

November 2003

Volume 57, Issue 11

Community Ministry in Transition

The good news is that we have received the final notice of approval from the Federal Government for our neighborhood community center, the “Center of the Square.” This accompanies our State of New York documents which we received last year. In other words, we are official! The Board of Directors can raise funds in any amount, and can operate programs in response to local need. We are on our way. Thanks go to our Board President, Barbara Harrington, Treasurer Denise Quis, and Secretary Rosemarie Calista, as well as the others from the parish who have helped get us to where we are now, especially David Sherwood, Jim Oppenheimer, and Fred and Alice Bunnell. Many others have lent a hand here and there, too numerous to mention, and I am always afraid of leaving someone off the list. I also want to thank our “founding donors” from Christ Church and from the Virgin of Guadalupe. Thanks to so many!

What lies ahead in the immediate future for the community center is to take responsibility, step by step, for the Summer Camp, Climb the Beanstalk, and the Latino outreach programming with Mark Como. This will happen over the course of time, not all at once, with the guidance of the parishioners and community members who have the expertise and experience needed to run the programs. What’s important to remember is that the Center of the Square is a partnership between Christ Church and the immediate neighborhood. Even when the Center takes full responsibility for the programs, Christ Church members can and must continue to be involved. The whole idea of the community center is to build an avenue along which connections between church and neighborhood increase. When the programs were the some property of Christ Church, we found ourselves isolated from the people participating in the programs. If the programs became the sole property of the community center, another form of isolation would occur. It must be come from our Anglican way of doing things, that we seek the middle ground: church and community working together to find solutions and provide services. We expect the Winant Fund to support the center with personnel, as before. What we hope to gain is additional funding beyond the Winant Fund, and additional personnel, i.e., our neighbors.

In order to accomplish this partnership, the Board has written a grant to the Dyson Foundation for Board development. We are in conversation with two consultants, one of which will help us get all of our administrative “ducks in order,” such as by-laws, accounting procedures, and tax-exempt filing, etc. The other consultant will help us gather our neighbors for meaningful dialogue around the operation of the center and its future. We feel we need both. If we only hire one, for example the administrator, we could end up structuring the ideal community center, but have it fall flat because no one in the neighborhood feels ownership in its work. On the other hand, if we only work with the community organizer, we could get everyone excited and rallying around a common goal, but have the center fall apart due to lack of organization.

The other discussion that needs to take place will begin on Wednesday, November 5, in the evening. Deacon Mary Gregorius will lead a session in which we look at “Community Ministry: What Now?” With the Summer Camp and Climb the Beanstalk in transition to the community center, how will we shape our community ministry from the parish viewpoint? All three of the programs in transition have their own budgets constructed by Christ Church people. The other work of the Community Ministry Episkopos, includes supporting agencies whose budgets fall outside of Christ Church, for example, Hudson River Housing and Episcopal Relief and Development. As the three programs flow into the community center, the administrative vacuum left by their departure needs to be addressed.

Both transitions 1) to a fully functioning, neighborhood-inclusive community center and 2) a reconfigured Community Ministry Episkopos, will not happen overnight. But with patience and attention from everyone involved, we have the opportunity to take Christ Church’s longstanding commitment to the community ministry to a whole new level.

Michael

A NOTE FROM GOD

November 2	Psalm 149	Eccelsiasticus 44:1-10, 13-14	Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17	Matthew 5:1-12
November 9	Psalm 146:4-9	1Kings 17:8-16	Hebrews 9:24-28	Mark 12:38-44
November 16	Psalm 16:5-11	Daniel 12:1-4a(5-13)	Hebrews 10:31-39	Mark 13:14-23
November 23	Psalm 93	Daniel 7:9-14	Revelation 1:1-8	John 18:33-37
November 27 Thanksgiving Day	Psalm 65:9-14	Deuteronomy 8:1-3, 6-10 (17-20)	James 1:17-18, 21-27	Mathew 6:25-33

A FEW WORDS AT THE APPROACH OF OUR ANNUAL FUND SEASON

Each year, at this point in the Fall, you are asked to consider you annual gift to Christ Church. As your Stewardship Team, we again ask the question – not only in the context of finances, but also of faith and community. It is a necessary exercise for us all to examine how much we can and will give. It is a part of our responsibility as members of a church, to participate. But an abidingly personal, spiritual and more compelling question – one beyond membership or utility bills or stained glass window repairs or staff salaries – is to ask ourselves why this Episcopal church, and our faith practices within it, matter at our particular moment in history and in our ever changing lives.

Often we work out these questions in moments of secure, personal reflection. Equally often many of us pray and think and speak of them in community. This year, a year after last year’s intense and consuming considerations of our capital campaign, we offer opportunity for reflection, and possibly discussion, about the questions of what matters to us individually as Christians today.

In his sermon on October 12, Michael Phillips asked us to consider “how much is enough” as a starting point to unpacking the issues of where we stand in relation to money in our lives; and here we add the inference, to our lives as people struggle

CRAFT FAIRS/BAZAARS

Crafts ‘N More

Saturday, November 16

9AM – 4PM

Trinity Episcopal Church

Parish House

Route 9, Fishkill, New York

*******

ORNAMENTS

WOOD CRAFTS

CANDLES

FIRE STARTER BASKETS

GIFT BASKETS

HOME BAKED GOODS

REFRESHMENTS: BREAKFAST & LUNCH

Bazaar

Saturday, November 16

10AM – 3PM

Lunch 11AM – 2PM

Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church

Route 376, Poughkeepsie, New York

Between Vassar Road & Red Oaks Mill

*******

DECORATIONS & WREATHS

HANDCRAFTED GIFT ITEMS

HOMEMADE GOODIES

LUTHERAN CARE CENTER

Each year at Christmas, we have been able to provide 5 gifts to each of the residents of the LCC. For some of our residents who have no families, these are the only gifts they receive. Gifts are made possible by the generosity of people in the community, as well as the local churches. We invite you to participate. Here are some helpful ideas:

Men: Shirts (not flannel), lightweight pajamas, undershirts & T-shirts (L/XL)

Men & Women: Socks, sweat suits, cardigan sweaters, slippers-non skid bottoms, large print calendars, wood hats & gloves

Miscellaneous: Books, board games, lap blankets, coin purses, decorative scarves

For more information, please call Susan Leone at 845-486-9494. On behalf of the entire LCC family, we extend our thanks to all of you.

SCHEDULE FOR THE CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

We will meet on Sunday mornings at 9:55 in the Atrium of the Parish House.

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.

“TIME TO HOPE”

We will be going by caravan on Saturday, November 9 at 9AM to see the exhibit “Time to Hope” at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The exhibition is on display only from September 7 to November 24, 2002. It has been sent by the nation of Spain to commemorate the events of 9/11. The exhibit of 100 objects includes works of Goya and El Greco. If you wish to go, or are able to drive, either call James Monteith at 471-1952 or sign up on the clipboard in the hallway of the church. All are welcome. We will be meeting at Christ Church.

Thank you.

James Monteith

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

The DEADLINE for the October “Courier” is Sunday, November 17. Please bring items to the parish office, or you may e-mail articles to me at christchurch@mindspring.com.

Thank you!

Michele Haynes

EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT

You are part of this! I am part of this!

Planting seeds of hope – 2001 ERD Annual Report

It is exciting, stimulating and hopeful. Have YOU read it? If not, dig out your copy and do it now! If you don’t have a copy, let me or Michele know and you’ll soon have a copy.

This is what the Episcopal Church is doing! This is what we are doing through our offerings!

Examples:

Pg. 10 Ho Van Lai (Vietnam) tests his new prosthetic leg and hopes to again play soccer;

Page 3 Healthy children in Haiti eat healthy food at a nutrition program;

Page 6 Rescue workers at World Trade Center find solace and relief at St. Paul’s chapel;

Page 8 Tahira and family, refugees from Kabul, receive emergency food and supplies at Pakistan camp;

Page 1 Presiding Bishop Griswold writes: “This year has been one of violence, heartache, and loss for millions of people around the world. It has also been one of overwhelming generosity, heroism, and triumph. Throughout it all, Episcopal Relief and Development has been there, right on the front lines. And so have Episcopalians, through their support of this great ministry. You have participated in the joyful task of planting seeds of hope around the world.”

And You of Christ Church! Will you be on the front lines? Will you be planting seeds of hope? Our Annual Christ Church ERD Advent Offering is December 1. Please use your offering envelope, which was included in this month’s “Courier” mailing.

Christ Church ERD Representatives,

Gordon and Petty Plowe

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN KICK OFF EVENT

“Tending our Treasures”

Kick-Off Dinner

Saturday, November 23

Dutchess Golf & Country Club

Social Hour – 5PM

Dinner – 6PM

RSVP – Parish Secretary

452-8220

On behalf of the “Tending our Treasures” leadership, we would like to invite you to our Kick-Off Dinner Event which officially begins our Capital Campaign. There is no charge for attending this event. We appreciate your commitment to and support of the “Tending Our Treasures” Capital Campaign. Your attendance at this event will give you a better understanding of our campaign goals. A formal invitation will be mailed to you in the near future. Please call Michele at the Parish Office to reserve a place at the dinner. We look forward to seeing you at the dinner. Thank you.

The Kick-Off Event Committee,

Peggy Kraft

Ruth Fairbanks

Lillian Easton

FROM THE CHOIR DIRECTOR

Fall Concerts, 2002

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 perform the Cantata as a Choral Postlude, following the 10:00 a.m. service. You may come to the service or just for the Postlude.

Sunday, 11/24 at 4:00 p.m. Baroque Organ Recital: David Shuler, organ; sponsored by the American Guild of Organists: selection of baroque organ works. Good-will offering to benefit the organ fund.

Saturday, 12/21 at 8:00 p.m.: “Saint Nicholas” by Benjamin Britten – performed by Cappella Festiva Chamber Choir and Orchestra with Children’s Choir. Tickets: $15/$12 – call 473-9897.

Tuesday, 12/24 at 10:30 p.m.: Festival Concert featuring brass, choir, and organ music by Gabrieli, Poulenc and Pinkham. 11:00 p.m. Festival Eucharist with Christmas hymns and lessons.

Wednesday, 1/1/2003 at 3:00 p.m.: “A New Year’s Day Gift to the City” – choral music from diverse musical and religious traditions, including Jewish music, African drumming, Eastern Orthodox music, Christian music, Gospel music – and more!

For more information, call (845) 452-8220.

All concerts take place at Christ Church. They are open to the public and, unless otherwise indicated, are free. Donations to the Christ Church Concert Fund are always welcome!

ALTERNATIVE GIFT IDEAS

Heifer Project International Domestic animals and trees for people suffering from hunger and poverty

Box 808

Little Rock, AR 72203

(800) 422-0474

e-mail: info@heifer.org

website: www.heiferproject.org

Koinoia Farm Pecan and peanut products – sales support teaching of peace, kindness and simplicity

Route 2

Americus, GA 31709

Pueblo to People Crafts from Latin America

(800) 843-5257

SELFHELP Crafts from developing nations. A program of the Mennonite Central Committee

Box 500

Akron, PA 17501

(717) 859-4971

SERRV (Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation Vocations). Crafts from developing nations.

Self-Help Handicrafts

500 Main Street

New Windsor, MD 21776

(800) 423-0071

website: www.serrv.org

UNICEF Medicine, water purification, nutrition, clothing and shelter supplies for children in need.

Holiday Shopping List

333 East 38 Street

New York, NY 10016

(212) 686-5522

(800) 367-5437

website: www.unicefusa.org

CONSUMER ALERT!

As we consider the spirit of Thanksgiving and plan our long weekend activities, the forces of consumerism are also making big plans for us. The day after Thanksgiving is the heaviest shopping day of the year and commences a season in which half of our annual consumer spending occurs. Consumerism depends on our buying (generally on credit) to feel good and to impress others. To combat this trend, a movement has emerged around the country. It’s called Buy Nothing Day, and it is observed on the day after Thanksgiving. People concerned with the effect of consumerism on their lives have resolved to spend the day after Thanksgiving in enriching family activities: a trip to the country, reading aloud, making music together, preparing for the Advent season in a spiritual way, and other thoughtful activities. Happy Buy Nothing Day!

On the web: www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd/

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