The Weekly News from St. Christopher's Episcopal Church

The Weekly News - February 6, 2019

Greetings!

News from the Annual Meeting
RSVP for Ministry/Leadership Summit
Yoga & Spirituality
Common Grounds
Scout Sunday
Backpack Packing
Ministry/Leadership Summit
A Matter of Perspective
Important Dates for Your Calendar

News from the Annual Meeting

During Sunday's Annual Meeting of the Parish, Senior Warden, Fred Winters, announced staffing changes that will commence on February 25 after our Interim Rector departs. The Rev. Dr. Larry Walters, currently serving as Interim Associate Rector, will serve as Priest-in-Charge until our new rector arrives. The Rev. Kathy Thomas will serve as Priest Associate during the interim period. Mother Kathy is known to many of us, as she was ordained at St. Christopher's. She recently retired after serving as Rector of Grace Episcopal Church, Fort Wayne.

Congratulations to Peggy Driehorst, Aaron Seitz, Megan Shore, and Mike Smith, who were elected to serve on St. Christopher's Vestry. Their three-year terms will end at the time of the Annual Meeting of the parish in February 2022. Jane Dunnivant was appointed to the Vestry replacing Stacy Feltner. We welcome these new members with gratitude for their willingness to serve.

We also give thanks to the departing members of the Vestry - Stacy Feltner, Jennifer Lawson, Anne Long, John Lyter, and Pete Tinsley - for their service to the parish.

Ministry/Leadership Summit Invitation

RSVP by Friday, February 8

St. Christopher’s will hold a Ministry/Leadership Summit on Saturday, February 16, from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, and you are invited!

Since its retreat in January 2018, the Vestry has been working to develop a structure that will support effective ministry in and from St. Christopher’s in the years ahead. Seven Ministries have been identified:

Evangelism/Membership
Faith Formation
Fellowship
Finance & Facilities
Outreach
Pastoral Care
Worship

The parish’s thirty-plus existing ministries, parish organizations, and guilds have been grouped into one of the seven Ministries. So, for example, all the different groups that make worship possible here at St. Christopher’s - Acolytes, Altar Guild, Music, Lectors and others - will begin working more closely together. All the learning opportunities - from Godly Play to Common Grounds - will come under the Faith Formation umbrella.

This is your chance to learn more about the various ministry opportunities and how you might find a place to offer your gifts.

Father Jack Koepke, recently retired Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, will facilitate the daylong meeting in the Parish Hall. Father Jack has decades of experience working with congregations of all different shapes and sizes. He has been rector of several parishes and served on diocesan staffs in two different dioceses.

The day will begin with coffee and refreshments. After introductions and an opening prayer, Father Jack will introduce a small group Bible study. A plenary session will follow to immerse all participants in the work that’s been done by the Vestry since last year’s retreat.

The meeting will then break for lunch (provided) and fellowship. Following lunch, meetings of the seven ministries will be held (agenda provided). Each Ministry will then have the chance to report to the Vestry about what was accomplished in their group meeting, what questions remain that need to be answered, and what more the Ministry needs to do its work.

It promises to be a fun day of learning and growth. And, it’s all part of “preparing the way” for the arrival of our next rector!

If you are planning to attend, please RSVP by Friday, February 8, to Anita Walker, Parish Administrator: awalker@stchriscarmel.org or (317) 846-8716. Please also let her know if you have any dietary restrictions when you RSVP.

The Daughters of the King present:

Yoga & Spirituality

Saturday, February 9, 10:00 am

Join us for an interactive yoga session led by Dr. Helene Russell, an Associate Professor of Theology at Christian Theological Seminary, and founding and principal teacher of the Yoga, Spirituality and Wellness program at CTS.

Dr. Russell, a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance, will lead us in various postures, movements, and breathing techniques to unite body, mind, and spirit.

Please dress comfortably and join us in the parish hall. A mat is not required. Light refreshments will be served.This event is open to all women of St. Christopher’s.

Common Grounds

An Adult Formation Forum

February 3, 9:00 - 9:45 am

In the Parish Hall

Sunday's Topic:

Waycross: Stories from Camp

Victoria Hoppes, Waycross Program Director and Diocesan Coordinator of Ministries with and for Youth, will be leading our discussion at Common Grounds this Sunday. Victoria will discuss programing at Waycross and its influence on spiritual growth for all age participants. Victoria also will share a recent happening at Waycross, the 30th Annual Conference of the Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers, which included Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows. And if time permits she may even lead us in a camp devotion. Coffee will be served.

Scout Sunday

February 10, 10:00 am

This Sunday we will recognize all Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. We encourage Scouts to wear their uniforms. A Member of Boy Scout Troop 132, which is sponsored by Kiwanis and meets at St. Christopher's, will read one of the lessons during the 10:00 a.m. service.

Calling all Backpack Packers!

Sunday, February 10, Following the 10:00 am Service

This Sunday we will pack 192 bags for delivery to Carmel schools. Can you lend a hand? Any and all are welcome to join us, as many hands make light work.

The Backpack Ministry Team appreciates everything you are doing to help make this ministry a success.

A Matter of Perspective

Reflections on the Annual Report

By Carolyn Parrott

St. Christopher’s Annual Report is a summary of the previous year’s ministries and many of the important decisions we’ve made about our common life. It also is an evangelism document. It tells part of our story of faith to those who read it.

My ministry, as one of the parish communicators, is to receive, edit, compile, and/or write many of the pubic-facing communications for St. Christopher’s including the Annual Report. Given the fact that the report lives on because it is on our website and in the Cloud, I take my part in bringing the report to life seriously. So, I pay close attention to the . . .