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| My brothers and sisters in Christ,
As we come to the end of Eastertide and the feast of Pentecost, we shift to an awareness of God present with us in Holy Spirit. The early Church marked that gift as inspiration, fire and language-the breath of ever-new life and the burning desire for ongoing relationship with God. That gift of Holy Spirit keeps us lively and moving, bears us into new territory and challenges unsought.
In this as in every age, we face issues of identity, vocation and mission as members of the Body of Christ. Entering the long season of Pentecost brings our focus to how we, too, will follow Jesus inspired by Holy Spirit. I would like to offer a few reminders about identity, vocation and mission that I shared recently with the people of the Diocese of San Joaquin:
1) Jesus is Lord. In the same sense that early Christians proclaimed that Jesus, not Caesar, is Lord, remember that no one else-not any hierarch, not any ecclesiastical official, not any one of you-is Lord. We belong to God, whom we know in Jesus, and there is no other place where we find the ground of our identity.
2) We are all made in the image of God. Even when we can't see that image of God immediately, we are challenged to keep searching for it, especially in those who may call us enemy.
3) In baptism we discover that we are meant to be for others, in the same way that God is for us. This means that God's mission must be the primary focus, not anything that focuses on our own selves to the exclusion of neighbor. For when we miss the neighbor, we miss God.
4) None of us is alone. We cannot engage the fullness of God's mission alone, nor know the fullness of God's reality alone. Together as members of the Body of Christ, we can begin to try. And the Spirit, burning fire, inspiring breath, and speaking in many tongues, is present in that Body, empowering and emboldening and strengthening our work. Thanks be to God who continually makes us new.
Your servant in Christ,
+Katharine Jefferts Schori
04/23/2008 08:10 PM |
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| Please Collect Unopened Toiletries from motel/hotel when on vacation/business trips. Put the lotions, shampoo, soaps, etc. in the donation basket at the communications area in ASH. These will be distributed at the Christ Church Pantry. Thank you!
If you have any questions, please call the church office at 540-582-5033.
04/24/2008 09:07 PM |
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| Several computer-savvy volunteers are needed by the Diocese of Virginia's Stewardship and Development Office for online stewardship research. Work from home to research specific assigned stewardship topics. If interested, please contact: Patricia (Patsy) Bjorling, Director of Stewardship and Development, pbjorling@thediocese.net or 800-DIOCESE x16.
04/23/2008 08:10 PM |
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The Episcopal Church Women say thanks to all of you who rented spaces, brought in baked goods, and worked at our booth. You helped make our spring fund raiser a big success. Special thanks go to Janine Gupton and RAAI for donating the plants, Shirley Pozzato for the plants from her beautiful flower gardens, Elaine and George Wyant for setting up our tent, marking the parking lot and distributing flowers, Lynn Thompson for making the flyers and above all to God who blessed our dedication and hard work with a beautiful day.
05/09/2008 09:01 PM |
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| Classes meet Monday and Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM.
If you are interested in participating, please contact instructor Missie Jarman at missiejarman@starpower.net.
05/09/2008 09:04 PM |
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| Henry Burt, Secretary of the Diocese of Virginia (our diocese), has made it known that the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia has set up a fund for immediate relief for victims of the tornado in the Suffolk area. All contributions will go directly to aid victims of the tornado disaster.
For more information, go to this page on the Diocese of Southern Virginia website. There you will find the address and contact information for your contribution.
04/30/2008 08:51 PM |
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| June 27 is the date for our first golf tournament to be held at the Meadows Farm Golf Course.
Please help us find sponsors and volunteer for working either in preparation of the tournament or on the day of the event.
Contact Thom Smelter for more information.
If you have any questions, please call the church office at 540-582-5033.
04/24/2008 09:07 PM |
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| Please note that the New Jersey mailing address for Episcopal Relief and Development is no longer active. Any donations for the organization should be sent to Episcopal Relief and Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield VA 22116.
To learn more about ERD visit www.er-d.org.
04/23/2008 08:10 PM |
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| If your church's pledge campaign is tired and unsuccessful; if you're not satisfied with your church's approach to stewardship; or if you have trouble even finding people willing to serve on your church's stewardship committee, then this is the workshop for you.
This half-day workshop will teach you how to create energetic stewardship committees, how to decide on the right model for your congregation, and how the use of "best practices" can boost your pledge totals. You'll also hear about clergy roles in leading towards effective an stewardship campaign, and the importance of connecting giving to the Christian journey.
The workshop date is Saturday, June 7, 2008, from 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., at Grace Church, Kilmarnock on Virginia's beautiful Northern Neck.
Make a Day of It!
Stay around after the workshop and take guided tours of historic Grace Church, Kilmarnock and St. Mary's, Whitechapel (just 13 miles away). St. Mary's also invites you to spend time at their recently completed paved stone, Chartres-inspired labyrinth and meditation garden.
Finish the day attending "Bluegrass and BBQ at Roanoke Farm."This 5-8 p.m. event is being presented by St. Stephen's, Heathsville, as a fundraising and outreach event. Music will be provided by the Flatland Bluegrass Band and there will be roast pig, beans, slaw and soft drinks. Beer and wine will also be available. Cost is just $20 per person. You may reserve tickets by sending a check to Marjorie Claybrook (see below) or by calling 804-724-4238.
Cost of the Annual Campaign Workshop is just $10 for materials and refreshments. You may pay at the door, but pre-registration is requested. Simply call or email Marjorie Claybrook at the Diocese, mclaybrook@thediocese.net or 800-DIOCESE x17. Download a flyer online.
The workshop is presented by the Diocese of Virginia's Stewardship Committee.
04/11/2008 08:59 PM |
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| The ladies especially need you if you have been a members of the church
for many years to help identify old pictures, news articles and other history
information.
If you have any questions, please call the church office at
540-582-5033.
03/21/2008 08:16 PM |
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| The 2008 Energy Star Small Business and Congregations Awards are open to any small business, congregation, or non-profit which has increased the energy efficiency of its facility through upgrades or energy management improvements during the last two years. It can be a large project, or small. It can be a retrofit or new construction. Preference will be shown to small businesses and congregations that have used Energy Star tools and resources to achieve success. Learn more and download an application form online.
04/18/2008 09:23 PM |
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| Earth Day is the annual celebration of God's Earth each year on April 22. A new Web site, www.earthsermons.org, is dedicated to collecting and making Earth Day resources and sermons available for congregations and faith leaders who strive to be in right relationship with God and with God's creation. Sponsored by a grant from Interfaith Power and Light, earthsermons.org was developed by Virginia Interfaith Power and Light and the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. Visit earthsermons.org to find inspiration for your sermon or adult forum, share your resources and post and share your sermon.
04/18/2008 09:27 PM |
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| Download bulletin inserts from the Programs Department online. Inserts are available about summer camps and Shrine Mont events.
04/18/2008 09:30 PM |
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Please sign up at the Communications Center in ASH, or email Bill Palmer at bnjpalmer@msn.com, if you can help with cutting and trimming to make our Church campus look welcoming.
04/10/2008 08:39 PM |
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| Please join us for fellowship at All Saints Hall after the 11:00 service.
You may sign up to host fellowship at the Communications Center in ASH.
04/10/2008 08:38 PM |
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| Why do bad things happen to good people? The answer may be found in the Book of Job which is being discussed during the 10:15 Christian Education in adult classroom #4.
The Book of Job will be covered until the end of May 2008. No need to attend all sessions.
04/03/2008 08:57 PM |
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| Nurse Anne Parker's "Congregational Health Corner" article deals with how to recognize the symptoms of cancer and what you can do to prevent it, and includes a tribute to those who have been affected by this terrible disease.
Of all people, Anne is one who can speak most powerfully to this subject.
For more information or to get involved, call the church office at 540-582-5033.
04/10/2008 08:51 PM |
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| If you have missed our meeting, you can still join us. We need people to help with the coffee hour on Sunday mornings. It is fun and easy! Even the cookies and refreshments are purchased for you.
Please email Sandy Snyder at sanjesse@verizon.net for more information.
04/03/2008 08:53 PM |
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| If you can smile and give a friendly handshake, the New Members Ministry Commission has the job for you! We are looking for greeters for all services, especially the 9:15.
Welcoming our visitors is a very important ministry. Training is provided for greeters.
If interested, please email Suzi Zafrano at redjewel46@aol.com.
04/03/2008 08:52 PM |
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| A new Parish Prayer Group has formed and will meet the second Thursday of every month while the vestry meets.
For more information or to get involved, contact Anne Parker via the church office at 540-582-5033.
02/24/2008 08:48 PM |
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| Christ Church had its annual parish meeting on January 20 with 96 people
in attendance.
Three new members were elected to serve three year terms on the vestry.
Congratulations to Dana Houck, Roger Williams, and Suzi Zafrano. Thank you to
the outgoing members for their years of service –Judy Fristoe, Marv
Pixton, and Mark Walker.
If you missed the meeting, there are packets with reports and the 2008
budget available on the Communications Center in All Saints Hall. Father
Packard’s address is on the web page.
01/26/2008 09:03 PM |
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| The Vestry has approved a Discretionary Fund for the Assistant Rector. The
purpose of the Discretionary Fund is to provide a fund to cover Christ
Episcopal Church expenses that relate to the official duties of the Assistant
Rector.
If anyone would like to make a special contribution to the Assistant
Rector’s Discretionary Fund, please make checks payable to Christ
Episcopal Church and in the memo section, state Assistant Rector’s
Discretionary Fund.
If you have any questions, please call the church office at
540-582-5033.
01/26/2008 09:01 PM |
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| The Outreach Commission wishes to thank all those who assisted with the
move of the Food Pantry from Harris House to ASH.
01/17/2008 09:27 PM |
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| To ensure the deductibility of your church
contributions, do not file your 2007 income tax return until you have
received a written acknowledgement of your contributions from the church.
Some of your contributions may not be tax-deductible if you file your tax
return before receiving a written acknowledgement of your contributions from
the church.
If you have any questions, please call the church office at
540-582-5033.
12/28/2007 04:31 PM |
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| The boys collected 711 lbs of food and $55 of cash donations for the food
pantry.
What a great job!
12/19/2007 08:54 PM |
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| The Christ Church Communications Center is now fully functional. Check it
out in the upstairs hallway of All Saints Hall. It includes mailboxes for
vestry and commission chairs, a bulletin board, white board, tract rack, and
an electronic display.
This will be the place for intra-parish communication. Do take advantage of it to communicate with Vestry and parish commissions.
Thanks to Chuck Cooprider and Mark Walker for helping to make it a
reality, and to our anonymous donor for making it possible.
11/09/2007 08:06 PM |
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| Thanks to Jan Massey’s students and members of the Future Farmers of
America of Massaponax High School. They added to our landscaping this week.
Daffodil bulbs were planted in memory of Jim Parker. A weeping cherry tree
was planted in memory of Jerry Vawter. And as a gift from the Sunlight Garden
Club, a P. G. Hydrangea was planted in memory of Julie Pringle.
11/02/2007 09:08 PM |
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| The following e-mail addresses have been deactivated:
- rector.christch@mindspring.com
- christch@infionline.net
Please use our new e-mail addresses:
- Rector@ChristChurchSpotsy.com
- Secretary@ChristChurchSpotsy.com
If you have any questions, please call the church office at
540-582-5033.
10/20/2007 09:19 PM |
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| The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church met last week in New Orleans.
Copies of their statement as well as a letter from the Bishops of Virginia
will be available at the back of the church.
10/04/2007 08:45 PM |
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| Imagine that you find yourself in a conversation with someone who
genuinely expresses an interest in Christ Church. For your convenience, on
the Christ Church Resources page, there are links to info cards that you
can download and print as needed.
The cards are in Adobe PDF format, easily read and printed with the
Adobe Reader.
One more way you can share the fellowship of Christ Church!
09/12/2007 10:32 PM |
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