The Weekly News
for November 29, 2017
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Greetings!
In this issue of
The Weekly News:
- Our 60th Birthday Party is Saturday
- Register Today for "Behold! Cultivating Awareness in the Season of Advent"
- All-Ages Advent Wreath and Crèche Making
- Pick Up an Advent Calendar
- Service to Others Christmas Outreach Projects
- Small Steps to Address Racism
- Young at Heart Luncheon
- Delegates' Report on the 180th Diocesan Convention
- Eagerly Anticipated Annual Campaign Update
- Evangelism Matters Conference
- Important Dates for Your Calendar
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It's party time!
Our 60th Birthday celebration—the party with a purpose—is this Saturday. We will spend some time reviewing how our heritage has shaped and formed us. Every one of us has stories to tell about our common life at St. Christopher's. What was it like to move into the first church building? What have been some of the most memorable events that have happened during the last sixty years? Do you remember the first Christmas you worshiped in the Fellowship Hall? In the "new" church? What do you remember about a special service you attended: a baptism, or a wedding, or a memorial service?
The Search Committee is tasked with writing a Parish Profile that will help introduce St. Christopher's to clergy candidates. The conversations at our 60th Birthday party will be one of several sources for the creation of that Profile, so be sure your story is included!
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If you have not signed up to attend this potluck for people of all ages, now's the time!
Your RSVP is required so we have enough tables and chairs for everyone. If you have not yet signed up, please call Annie Weissert at 317-435-7986 by Thursday at 6:00 p.m. Please let her know the decade you came to St. Christopher's and the dish or dishes you will bring to share.
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Behold! Cultivating Awareness in the Season of Advent
Registration ends today, November 29
Take time during this busy season to be still, cultivating an awareness of God's presence as we prepare together for Christ's arrival. This class includes short, daily devotionals and group discussion. It will meet on Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m., December 3, 10 and 17 at the home of Chris and Corey Jacobs. Cost is $10, but scholarships are available. Contact Mother Jenny to inquire. Register online using the link below.
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Advent wreath and cr
è
che making
Children's Ministries will have an "all ages" event on Sunday, December 3, during coffee hour after the 10:00 a.m. service. You will have the options of re-doing your wreath from last year, making a new wreath, or making a wooden crèche.
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Advent Calendars
Slow Down. Quiet. It's Advent. St. Christopher's is pleased to provide Advent calendars this season. Each day has a short thought to help us slow down, reflect, wait, and be ready for Christ's arrival. Please take one from the round table in the narthex for your household and enjoy!
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Service to Others
Christmas Outreach Projects
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Return Filled Holiday Totes by
Sunday, December 3, 10:00 a.m.
Thank you to everyone who picked up a holiday tote to fill for the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center. We will bless the totes immediately after the 10:00 a.m. service this Sunday. The Mary Rigg Neighborhood will pick them up early on Monday morning.
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Volunteer for the Gift-a-Child and Holiday Totes Distribution
We are looking for 12 volunteers to help parents choose gifts for their families and distribute the holiday food totes at the Center on December 11. We'll need to have our volunteers identified by December 8. This is a wonderful, enjoyable opportunity to be of service. If you have questions or want to sign up, email Martha Weissert at
IRLteam1@aol.com.
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The Angel Tree
During the holiday season we collect gifts card for distribution to Prevail, Good Samaritan, and Third Phase. Take an envelope and fill it with one or a few gift cards. Gift cards may be purchased from Target, Kohls, Walmart, or Kroger in small denominations of up to $50 each. Cards can be brought to St. Christopher's any time between December 3 and 17. If you have any questions about this Service to Others project, please contact one of the following: Carol Bolles, Gloria St. John, or Marlyn Young.
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Small Steps to Address Racism
Many of us are disturbed by the evidence of systemic racism that we see around us, yet don’t know how to address it. Come join the St. Christopher’s work group seeking to address these issues through education and small but important actions in our community.
We will meet at 11:30 on Sunday, December 3, in the conference room in the administration wing. No expertise required, just an openness to find both our blind spots and ways past them.
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Young at Heart Luncheon
The Young at Heart Luncheon will be on Wednesday, December 13. Please note this is the second week of the month instead of the fourth. The luncheon is always a treat, but never more than in December when the Daughters of the King serve a holiday-inspired menu. The luncheon offers an opportunity for a light meal and good fellowship with fellow parishioners and staff. If you are not on the call list, please contact Nancy Barney at 317-255-2699.
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Our Delegates' report on 180th Diocesan Convention
The annual Diocesan Convention, with its theme of "Come to the River," was held in Jeffersonville from October 26 to 28. St. Christopher's was represented by Mother Jenny, Bobbie McLear, Harold and Judy Salsman, Caroline Jayne, David Morton, and Aaron Seitz. Father Stephen also attended the meetings, but was unable to vote as he is canonically a resident of Ohio.
Diocesan conventions are a combination of business meeting, family reunion, and worship. The meeting this year . . . was marked by joy, mission, and a bright vision for the future. Learn more by reading the report at the link below.
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Our Eagerly Anticipated Annual Campaign
Update from Stewardship Chair John Lyter
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“Reaching forward to those things that lie ahead, I run straight toward the goal where God is beckoning us onward . . . .” As we conclude November and the Thanksgiving holiday, let me pass along some words of thanks and give you an update on our annual campaign.
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To the members of the Strategic Planning Committee who were part of the Stewardship Team, your work has guided our past two Eagerly Anticipated Annual Campaigns. Your work was done well and helped define what lies ahead.
To Tricia Seitz, Rick Long, and Gina Frey, thank you for providing three fine messages. You both inspired us and provided different ways to think about our collective participation at St. Christopher’s.
To our staff—Father Stephen, Mother Jenny, Anita, Cathy, Cindy, and Robert—thanks to each of you for providing ideas, guidance, and a lot of help with logistics that make this sort of sharing with the parish possible.
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Evangelism Matters Conference
Do you get a little skittish the moment you hear the “E” word? Come to the Evangelism Matters Conference, March 15-17, 2018 in Cleveland Heights, Ohio and learn how we can proclaim our faith in a way that is authentic to our Episcopal values. This is not a marketing workshop, but one in which we learn to talk about our faith with others.Participants will experience inspiring panels and talks, a keynote from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, memorable workshops and resources, and vibrant worship. More information is at
www.evangelismmatters.org or talk with Mother Jenny. Scholarship money is available. Come go with us!
Please note there is a discounted registration in early January! The last conference sold out three months in advance.
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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.
December 9 | The Daughters of the King
December 10 | Visit of St. Nicholas to Children's Formation
December 14 | Indiana Children and Nature Brown Bag Luncheon
Church office hours
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
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Continue the conversation
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