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Religious Education & Church School News
Brookhaven Children and Family Services Wish List
From your Rector
Dear sisters and brothers,
On October 29, 2003, I received a letter from the Presiding Bishop that had been sent to all the clergy of the Episcopal Church. It was a particularly welcome message that lifted my spirits and challenged me in this season of dissension in our church. I want to share a piece of it with you:
... yesterday I had the privilege of presiding and preaching at the Eucharist and confirming three young people at the Church of the Holy Communion in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. I was there for the first Executive Council meeting of the triennium. Being with faithful Episcopalians and sharing their life and worship reminded me of the grace and resilience that exist in congregations across our church.
At the coffee hour I met people who had been life-long Episcopalians, as well as those who have been recently drawn to our church. Our conversations revealed a variety of opinions, and, at he same time a common conviction that our church is larger than any one point of view and must embrace all.
As I left the church at the end of the morning I noticed a brass plaque commemorating the ministry of a 19th century rector. It described him as follows:
In charity – broad
In courage – dauntless
In honor – spotless
In spirit – catholic
As I stood there I found myself praying indeed that our charity might be broad, particularly in a season of polarization; that our courage may be dauntless as we live through these challenging days; that our honor may be spotless as we minister with care to those of varying opinions; and that our spirit may be catholic and able to make room for God’s own catholicity, which embraces all things in the fullness of God’s fierce and unbounded compassion.
I say, “Amen.” May Advent be a time of understanding God’s unbounded compassion.
God's
blessings and peace,
David+
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Religious
Education & Church School News
As our first Church School curriculum block comes to a close, I wish to say thank you to all who have helped with teaching the programs this fall. Sarah Merriman worked with our intermediate level, Cory Wilcox (with help from Helen Webb) taught our primary level, and Amelia Wilcox assisted by Elizabeth Wilcox taught our Pre-k/Kindergarten level. Laurel Finucane and Katie Greene have been a steady presence in the Nursery, and Sheila Bailey has organized our first- Sunday-of-the-month intergenerational programs. We had a few people who were willing to substitute: Charlie Merriman, Bob Garrett, Molly McNeil, and Jean Stetter. If I’ve missed anyone, I apologize!
We are still looking for an intermediate level teacher for the Winter Block, please see Melissa if you are willing to commit to this rewarding ministry.
Coming up, we have Elizabeth Wilcox directing our Christmas Pagent. The children will perform on the Sunday before Christmas (December 21). Also in December will be our first ever Parent’s Night Out. Sign up to bring your two and over children to the Church on Wednesday evening, December 10 from 6:00-8:30 pm. Look for an informational flyer and sign-up sheet on the bulletin board next to the Church office.
I expect the holiday season will speed by full of activities, programs and events. I hope you are able to squeeze in some moments of peace and reflection amidst the chaos that usually accompanies this time of year!
Happy Holidays
—Melissa
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Glimpses
At Christmas, as we head into a new year of uncertainty in the world, I’d like to recommend a book that offers hope for reconciliation. Maria Rose Mendocal’s The Ornament of the World is a brief history of medieval Spain, where Muslims, Jews and Christians lived together in tolerance for seven centuries and together achieved a golden age of culture that has not been surpassed.
With mutual humility (not accomplished overnight) and life-affirming prayers in all religions, we can begin to move toward a society like this again — the Kingdom, I believe, that God intends for all of us on Earth.
— Charlotte Gibson
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Banner Making, All ages welcome
Join us on Thursday evenings,
December 11 and 18, following the Eucharist and potluck supper, and make banners to hang in various places in our building. All the materials will be provided. We need your creativity and energy.
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Brookhaven Children and Family Services Wish List
Wish list donations are used for Christmas, birthdays, and general program activities. Please label wrapped gifts so that we know what is inside.
Donations are welcome all year round. If you call us, we will be glad to pick up your gifts.
We are in desperate need of comforters and blankets for twin beds.
Arts & Crafts Supplies
Markers, crayons, colored pencils
Paints & brushes
Construction paper
Drawing /painting paper
Kids’ scissors
Glue / glue sticks / tape
Clay, beads
Games, puzzles & models
Board games (ages 6-adult)
Playing cards
Animal & nature puzzles, puzzle mats
Car & plane models
Legos, K’nex
Books
Treasure Island
How-to-draw books
Storybooks
Coloring books
Activity books
Adventure & sports books
Magazines
Sports Illustrated for Kids
World
Highlights
Kids’ nature magazines
Recreation Items
Snow tubes
Plastic racing sleds by Rubbermaid
Igloo makers (snow bricks)
Cross country skis & boots
Snow shoes, basketballs
Soccer balls
Frisbees
Bike helmets
Skateboards
Elbow & knee pads
Wrist guards
Boys’ Rooms
Posters
Twin sheet sets & pillowcases
Pillows & blankets
Kids’ bed comforters
Towel sets
Gift Certificates
Movie theater
Bowling/arcade
Dinner out
Sports stores
Book stores
Craft stores
Local attractions
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Ordination
Carole Wageman will be ordained to the priesthood at 2 pm, December 20, at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
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General Fund Financial Report
General Fund Income: Budgeted $151,150; Actual $134,191; Pledged $88,979; Received $73,020
Paid Expenses: Budgeted $154,630; Actual $134,108
Unpaid Expenses: Actual $18,120
($14,500 is due to the Diocese)
($2,600 is due to the Pension Fund by the end of December)
Notes: These figures do not include $17,141 taken out of the endowment to pay off the 2002 Diocesan assessment in May 2003. They do not include moneys raised ($4,973) or spent ($1,015 year-to-date) for the Director of Religious Education position. They do not include specially designated gifts ($5,869). They do not include the Discretionary Fund.
About the Discretionary Fund: In previous years, close to $9,000 has been given to the Discretionary Fund.
In 2003, this very important ministry of Christ Church had only $3,790 pledged
to it. The Fund has taken in $3,918 year to date. Please consider an extra gift to the Discretionary Fund as the year ends — it assists people in the
community with incidental expenses such as transportation, medicine, utilities,
and personal care items for which no other support is available.
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