The Weekly News
for February 14, 2018
|
|
Greetings!
In this issue of The Weekly News:
- Bishop Jennifer's Visitation
- Ash Wednesday
- Adult Christian Development
- Inquirer's Class
- Reading the Bible in Larger Portions
- Thursdays in Lent
- Evensong
- Pansy Sale
- The Winner is ...
- Important Dates for Your Calendar
|
|
Bishop Jennifer – An Apostle in our Midst
Many year ago now, David Joslin, who served as the bishop of Central New York, wrote a little pamphlet for Forward Movement Publications (the folks who bring us
Forward Day by Day bible reading helps), called “An Apostle in our Midst.” He wanted people to understand the role and ministry of a bishop and the link between every Episcopal bishop and the Apostles. I wish I could find the pamphlet, but I suspect it was a casualty of the library housecleaning I did before coming to St. Christopher’s.
The gist of Bishop Joslin’s piece was that bishops were not only linked to the apostles through the long chain of the laying on of hand at ordination, the chain referred to as “Apostolic Succession,” but are also linked to the apostles by their being sent by Jesus Christ to bring the gospel of God’s love to the world.
Next Sunday, February 18, the Rt. Reverend Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, the Bishop of Indianapolis—she’s happy to be called Bishop Jennifer—will preside and preach at both the 7:45 and 10:00 a.m. services. We’ll have the opportunity to have a conversation with her at the coffee hour following the 10:00 a.m. service, and then the Vestry and Search Committee will meet with her.
In the instructions Bishop Jennifer sends in advance of her visits, she writes, “It is desirable for the pastoral visitation to be at once both business as usual and a special occasion in the life of the parish.” What she means is that we will be about our usual Sunday morning business next week: the preaching of God’s Word and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with the clergy and people of St. Christopher’s. The special occasion is that we will have an Apostle in our midst—and that’s very special! Please join Mother Jenny and me in welcoming our Chief Pastor (who also asked me if the “Red Team,” was scheduled for coffee hour, since she lives in the Red Neighborhood Crew’s territory.)
Father Stephen
|
|
Ash Wednesday
The Solemn Liturgy of Ash Wednesday, Holy Eucharist and the Imposition of Ashes, will be held in the Sanctuary this evening at 7:00 p.m. The service will include choral music.
|
|
Adult Christian Development Classes
Interested in learning more about our faith? Pick out one of the interesting, inspiring, and informative classes offered through our Christian Development program. Click the picture of the potter's hands to visit the Adult Christian Development webpage and the interactive catalog of classes.
Inquirer's Class
Sundays, February 25 - March 25
11:30 a.m. in the Conference Room
Why do we worship the way we do? What do Episcopalians believe and how did we get there? Come explore the basics of our faith and Episcopal tradition. This class is for you if you are curious, or if you would like to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. Father Stephen will facilitate this class. Registration is not required and there is no cost to attend.
Reading the Bible in Larger Portions
Bibles at the ready? Once again, we will read larger portions of scripture during the season of Lent. Choose a daily calendar that gets you through the Gospels, the General Epistles and Revelation, or the Minor Prophets during Lent, or even the entire Bible over the year.
St. Christopher's will gift you with a Bible of your own when you sign up. Pick up a paper calendar on the round table in the Narthex.
|
|
Thursdays in Lent, February 22 to March 22
|
|
During Lent we are offering additional opportunities for worship, learning, and fellowship. The Thursday evening schedule includes:
- 5:30 p.m., Worship in the Chapel - Using a service of the Holy Eucharist derived from a variety of Anglican Prayer Books, St. Christopher's clergy will preside at these brief celebrations for all ages.
- 6:00 p.m., Shared Supper in Fellowship Hall - Think soup, bread, salad, and conversations with fellow St. Christopher's members. All ages are welcome. Invite your friends to come. A vegetarian soup will always be one of the options for those choosing to keep a meatless Lent. (Please sign up using the Signup Genius link below if you can bring soup, bread, or salad.)
- 7:00 p.m., Learn in Lent - Father Stephen will lead the 2018 Bible Study for Lent, "Holy Week According to Mark: A Doorway into the Heart of God." (See the Lent, Holy Week & Easter flyer below to see what will be covered during this series of classes.)
- 8:15 p.m., Come for Compline - In communities of monks and nuns, Compline is the final church service of the day prior to going to sleep. Our Book of Common Prayer has a version of the service for everyone's daily use. The choir will join us as we end each evening by praying Compline together. If you can't be present physically, join us "virtually" by reading the service from the prayer book on page 127.
|
|
Evensong, February 25, 4:00 p.m.
St. Christopher's Choir and Choristers will lead this beautiful sung service. The service will feature music by Healey Willan, Jean Joubert, and J.S. Bach with guest organist Ryan Brunkhurst, middle school music teacher at St. Richard's Episcopal School.
|
|
Pansy Sale
Now Through March 4
The Women's Ministries are holding their annual Pansy Sale. Proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase plants for the containers at the entrances to the church and make a donation to one of our Service to Others ministries.
Pansies will be available by the flat (18 plants/flat) or in 14-inch pre-planted bowls. Orders must be placed and paid for by March 4. Make checks payable to St. Christopher's with Pansy Sale on the memo line. Orders may be picked up at the church on one day only, Saturday, March 17, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Color, choice of flat or bowl, and pricing can be found on the order form. Download the pansy order form or pick up one in the Narthex to place your order.
|
|
And the Winner is ...
The vote for best pancakes at Sunday's Shrove Pancake Throwdown went to Team Woken Egg (Mother Jenny's Team), but the real winner was St. Christopher's Youth Group—and their parents—who staffed this event to earn money toward a future mission trip. Despite the freezing rain and a lower than usual attendance at church, there was a good turnout to enjoy the pancakes, special performances, and watching the friendly rivalry among our youth (and clergy). Visit our Photo Gallery for pictures from the event.
|
|
Important Dates for Your Calendar
The
Save the Date page
of St. Christopher's website is updated weekly. Check this resource for new information. You also may want to review the insert in the Sunday bulletin, as it provides the schedule for the coming week.
February 25 | Butter Braids Sale begins
February 28, 11:30 a.m. | Young at Heart Luncheon
Church office hours
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
|
|
Continue the conversation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
