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Junior Choir Resumes September 12
Parish Brunch: Begin Anew
Dear Friends,
If you’re not a slave to the calendar (and I am not) you will take any opportunity for new beginnings. If you missed using the first Sunday in Advent to re-start your life, you can use the start of our 2004-2005 program year to do just that.
I am assuming that if you read this newsletter, you have more than just a passing interest in what goes on in this place called Christ Church. Many here believe what we do is pivotal, holding the potential to change and deepen lives and to change the world. At the Parish Brunch on September 12 following the 10 a.m. service, there will be short presentations on the many, varied ways for people to be involved here—or just to deepen their understanding of God in Christ.
Here are some things for you to think about before the 12th:
Meditation and Prayer: We all need a chance to slow down, unwind, and join others in deepening our relationship with God. The Tuesday healing service is a place to join others in praying for those in need and for yourself. The Wednesday evening meditation service is a valuable resource if you seek solitude in the context of a small community of prayer.
Learn the Faith: Get to know a living tradition through Church School for children and our Adult Education Programs for the rest of us. Church School begins September 12. See Martha Holden’s article on a class entitled “Co-Creating the Kingdom” that will be offered on Thursday evenings. The Adult Forum is presently reading In Search of Belief, by Joan Chittister.
Action in Faith: When some Christians sought to inherit the kingdom by faith alone, Jesus reminded them of ministering to the hungry, the sick and the stranger. The Full Ladle soup kitchen needs help each Wednesday. We also need help driving people to the hospital and doctor appointments.
Worship: We do it here every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and, of course, Sunday. Giving praise to God is basic to our existence. We work hard to offer a meaningful and beautiful worship service. We use many styles and offer many opportunities for you to participate.
If you are interested in being a reader, chalice bearer, member of the choir or on the Altar Guild, please call me at 223-3631.
Plan to attend Church on September 12 and stay for Brunch to find out more about our upcoming programs.
Faithfully,
Peace,
David +
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Dedication of a Memorial Plaque for the Geer Garden, Sunday, September 5
Perhaps you have noticed the new signs on the gates of the Geer Memorial Garden? These signs, along with a new memorial plaque listing the names of those interred in the Garden, will be dedicated at the 10 a.m. service. The plaque, given by the family of Hugh Weedon, will be dedicated on the anniversary of Hugh’s interment one year ago.
Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him and all the
departed.
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Since My Last Letter....
New Communication Efforts to be launched
I am very happy to report that Laurie Labarthe, Jan Armstrong, Dorothy Reilly, our Rector, and I are discussing a number of improvements in the way we share information with each other. By improving communication, we hope to not only increase participation in our on-going religious education activities but also to seek additional hands to assist in our ministry efforts.
In the coming weeks, you will see some changes in existing communication tools and perhaps some new vehicles. We ask that you do remember to use our website. () However, this tool requires you to take the initiative to access it in order to receive information.
We also realize that not everyone has access to the internet or e-mail nor does everyone wish to receive information that way so rest assured that our communication efforts will use other tools as well. These include the posting of information at the church, a one-page insert in the weekly bulletin listing all upcoming event dates, times, and locations, The Chronicle (perhaps with more frequent issues) to provide more detailed information and mes- sages from those leading our ministry efforts. Please watch for these changes and share your thoughts with David.
Results to Date in Our Call for Additional Funds for Fuel
Because of the escalating cost of fuel, my last letter asked for your help in order for us to continue to worship in our beautiful church every Sunday no matter what the temperature outside (and keep the building safe from damage caused by extreme temperature changes). A special thank you to those that made a supplemental financial gift in this regard.
The Finance Committee reports that we have received an additional $2,220 to help in this regard. Because as you all know fuel prices continue to be high, we still are happily accepting supplemental donations to parishioner’s original pledges. These gifts should be marked “special fuel fund” so that they are categorized appropriately.
Update on the Proposed Parking Garage Project
I want to share with you that I appeared before the City Council on Wednesday evening, July 14, to express the concerns of the Vestry regarding the possibility of the City of Montpelier erecting a multi-story parking garage behind Christ Church.
While it sounds like no formal decision has been reached about the exact location of this garage, I wanted to make sure that Christ Church went on the record with our concerns about the possibility of locating such a facility in the shadow of Christ Church or vice-versa but at the same time acknowledging the need for additional parking in the city.
For those of you that missed me on community access TV, I made the following three points to the mayor and city councilors:
1. Take no steps that reduces access to Christ Church for either our parishioners, staff, or the members of the Montpelier we serve everyday.
2. Take no steps that create an unsafe environment for parishioners, staff, or the members of the Montpelier that we serve.
3. And finally, take no steps that may result in the potential of damaging our beautiful church and parish hall (including beneath our structure) caused by the construction of such a project.
While no sight particular site has been selected, the City Council voted to move forward with hiring a consultant to prepare the necessary environmental impact analysis. David, Vestry member Steve Reynes, Junior Warden Dick Bushey and I will continue to work on this matter and keep you posted as this project progresses.
from the senior warden
—Bob Uer
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Co-Creating the Kingdom
Do you have a vision of the future? Do you like it? Might you like it more if God were more a part of it? How would it look if it were based on a whole-hearted, enthusiastic and faithful partnership between you, the church and God for, say, thirty years? Might the vision then be more attractive.
Beginning on September 16, for six to eight Thursday evenings, Christ Church is offering “Co-Creating the Kingdom,” led by Martha Holden and David Hall. This program is based on “Workshop on the Future: Imaging a Nonviolent World in 2033” by Elise Boulding, a noted Quaker sociologist and international peace activist. Using prayer, Bible study, and a combination of individual and small group work, we will envision how Christ Church, Montpelier, and the world could be thirty years from now. All aspects of life on this planet will be included. As the vision evolves, we will be asking God to kindle and inform the fires in our bellies so that we join God in its fulfillment within and through the body of Christ. By the end of the program we will develop structures to provide support and encouragement as we go forth to love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
Visible as our lay reader with very short hair, Martha has previously developed and led workshops on “Discovering the Peaceful Solution” and, with Dina Yellin, on “Body Sensitivity.” Of this program Martha says, “God can't bring in the Kingdom without us, and we can't bring in the Kingdom without God. I look forward to exploring the potential of a living partnership between the people of Christ Church and God through this process.”
If you have questions about the “Co-Creating the Kingdom” program, feel free to call Martha at 229-9036.
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Junior Choir Resumes September 12
Budding choristers should meet Dawn upstairs in the Choir Room at 9:15 am to prepare an easy (but lovely) introit for the Sunday service. (Choir members can then go to Church School.) The regular schedule will begin the following Sunday September 19, with rehearsals in the sanctuary from 11:30-12:30 on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of each month. Beginning in October, the Junior Choir will sing at the 10 am Service on the first Sunday of each month.
ALL CHILDREN ARE WELCOME — NO EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY!
Please contact Dawn Fairbanks at 223-0544 if your child is even remotely considering singing this year. We need to plan ahead for new vestments.
See you on the 12th.
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Craft Fair and Fall Foliage Festival Set for October 9
Calling all crafters! Whether you want your own booth space (call Bonnie Kynoch at 223-1623), or want to sell your craft at the Church Table (call Kate Henne through the Church Office, 223-3631), plan to join us for a day full of fun and food. Let’s make this a great success and good fund raiser for the Church.
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I HAVE NOTICED with alarm...
...a growing state of confusion surrounding the distribution of Communion. As someone with a keen interest in the correct and proper procedures, let me take a few moments and explain exactly how things are supposed to be done.
All are welcome to receive Holy Communion as long as they believe in the Real Presence of Christ as either Risen Lord, Rabbinic Authority, Holy Spirit Person, or Great Ethical Teacher.
If you prefer to receive Communion under the conventional species of bread (St. Mary’s Convent, Wahoo, Nebraska) and wine (Ernest and Julio Gallo Classic Port, California, 2001) please stand or kneel with your hands by your sides at the rail. If the nitrates in the Port induce nasal congestion, a light Chablis (Sutter Home, 2002) or Zinfandel (Paul Masson, April) is offered depending on availability. Please in dictate this preference by placing your right hand behind your head. Two nonalcoholic options are also offered. For red grape juice (Tucker’s Berry Farms), place your left hand behind your head. If you prefer a white, pasteurized grape juice product, kindly place both hands behind your head.
To express solidarity with oppressed farm workers in the grape industry, place both hands tightly over your mouth and hum “La Marseillaise.”
To receive an ordinary, unleavened Communion wafer kindly wink your right eye as the minister approaches. For a certified, organic, whole grain wafer, wink your left eye. For low salt, low fat bread, close both eyes for the remainder of the service. For gluten free bread, blink both eyes rapidly while looking at the ceiling.
Children may receive a blessed animal cracker by showing the Minster that they can cross their eyes. Parents who are concerned about the violence implied in eating animal shaped foods may join a support session that will try to lobby the Church for change. It meets in the Parish Hall on Tuesday evening after the Anthony DeMello reading group.
Unfortunately, we have had to discontinue the distribution of Blessed Gummy Bears to the children after Billy Watson’s recent diagnosis of add. We are sure everyone understands how traumatic it would be for him to receive his toasted rice cake while all the other children were chewing their Gummy Bears.
Next, a word on consumption of the host. If it is your custom and preference to have the Precious Body placed in your hand, please cup them together in front of you. If you are expressing a wine preference, the minister will allow ample time to change postures. If you feel uncomfortable holding the Lord in your hands, simply assume the baby bird position as the minister approaches. Be sure not to extend your neck so far that the minister of communion cannot see your eyelids by which you will express your bread preference.
Finally, for those with airborne allergies, you should know that the Associate Rector wears large amounts of Royal Copenhagen given to him by his mother at Christmas. The Rector may or may not be wearing cologne, but her mother has been known to wash her cassock in scented laundry detergent and dry it with a Downy sheet in the machine. The Deacon is wearing all-cotton garments washed in pure organic soap and rinsed with mountain spring water. She is wearing no scented products and scrubs her hands with anti-bacterial soap approved for use in neonatal intensive care nurseries.
It is our commitment to see that the worship experience will be as meaningful, efficient and error-free as possible. In this vein, an electronic billboard will be installed over the altar outlining these instructions. Please note that
traditional options flash in blue and organic food options flash in orange for easy reference.
Reprinted from the Zion Episcopal Church, Manchester Center, newletter of February, 2004, where it was contributed by Capt. Dave Clark.
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