Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.
Mark 3:32
Jesus Calls us Family
On occasion, I get the question, “Did Jesus have brothers and sisters?” My response is usually, “Depends on who is asking.”
Matthew and Mark both mention Jesus’ brothers and sisters at least twice. The first Sunday in July, we’ll hear their names: James and Joses and Judas and Simon (Mark 6:3). Sisters are also mentioned but not named. Paul describes his meeting with James “the Lord’s brother”. Elsewhere in the Acts of the Apostles James the Just, as he is called, appears as a significant leader of the Jerusalem church.
Early commentators suggest at least three possibilities: (1) Joseph and Mary had multiple children after Jesus’ birth, (2) Joseph was a widower and the children were from his previous marriage, (3) these were actually cousins and not siblings. Clearly, those who maintain the perpetual virginity of Mary (including much later Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Wesley) would argue against the first of these. It is pretty clear to me that Holy Scripture is inconclusive at best.
Of course, Mark’s Gospel is not focused on family life in the house of Mary and Joseph. The early part of Mark’s gospel describes who received the Good News and how they received it. In Sunday’s Gospel, looking at a house full of followers and the endless press of needs, Jesus proclaims “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
When we baptize in the Episcopal Church, we don’t use the last name of one being baptized, instead we welcome new believers into our family; all of us are named Christian. Paul addresses all of his letters to his sisters and brothers. One of my favorite commentators, Megan McKenna, puts it this way: “Jesus’ new family, the church, would be composed of men and women (brothers and sisters) whose authority is based on the power of the Spirit received in baptism. The invitation to become new brothers and sisters and mother of Jesus was there for his own family as well as the whole of humanity. For many, this is one of the hardest sayings of Jesus, but it is the way to opening the kingdom of God to all the beloved children of God.”
Come on in, and take your place, siblings of Jesus!
Peace,
Mark +
O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Garden Team!
Christ Church Kent Island has a new Garden Team comprised of folks who have been individually keeping our grounds looking great. Nothing is more relaxing than spending a couple hours with your hands in the dirt ripping out weeds, mulching or planting flowers. While there has been plenty of progress, we are blessed with ample grounds with even more weeds to pull.
Members of the team include Tim and Caroline Aland, Dennis and Carol Conrad, Bud and Lynne Shand, Anne Tyler, with additional help from Keith Fulmer and Ginny Wathen. They typically work on their own schedule to accomplish the task at hand. Some focus areas include:
- the Circle Garden, where folks have been working on weeding and contemplating adding brick paths;
- the beds around Shand Hall, where Lynne has been lifting bulbs, weeding out wiregrass and replanting the bulbs;
- the Labyrinth and nearby planters, where Keith has scraped off weeds and grass and Tim and Caroline maintain the planters;
- the ivy garden at the back entrance, where trimming ivy, weeding and removing small volunteer trees is needed;
- the Day School window gardens, where weeding is needed;
- the parking lot islands, where bids to remove the junipers have been solicited;
- the plantings around each sign at the Rt. 8 entrance, where Tim and Anne trim and weed; and
- the areas around the HVAC units, where weeds and grass need to be removed from around the units.
Additionally, the Jaimie Jacobs Memorial Butterfly Garden by the entrance road is in need of loving care. Information on the background, history, and plantings in the garden is available.
Skill level is low but fulfillment high. Having your own favorite gardening tool is a plus.
If you are looking to join the team and pitch in, please contact Tim Aland at tima@cheshear.com.
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2021 Graduation Celebration
Dear Friends of Christ Church Parish,
Another year has rolled by and a new group from CCPKI has graduated from High School and College! Christ Church Parish joins in celebrating amazing achievements and future plans.
Families and students, please send an email to office@ccpki.org to let us know about your graduates and their plans and next steps.
Please include a photo so that we can put together a slideshow to share with the congregation on our June 20th Video Service.
God Bless You. Your resilience and accomplishments are an encouragement to us all!
Peace,
Mark +
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IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICE
Each SUNDAY at 9:30AM
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This Sunday's Worship Service
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Please pray for: Lorraine Aaron, Robin, Pender, John Perkins, Bob Willis, Deny, Chris, Avery, Jack Wright, Laura & Bob Dean & Family, Carol Holland, Susan Fralic, Dot Deren, Camilla Parrott, Sally Russell, Jay Czerniak (RIP)-Lisa Oesterling & Family, Barbara Jerome, Barbara Faulkner, Connie Jones, Nancy King, Shelia McJilton, Aubree Burton & Tiffany Tia, Daniel Bedard, John Price (RIP), Abdul Sabur (RIP)-Susan Fauceglio, Goldey Vansant
Prayer Requests can be sent to prayer@ccpki.org
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Broad Creek Cemetery
Service of Remembrance
The Service of Remembrance will be held on
Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 1:00 pm
at
Broad Creek Cemetery
370 Romancoke Rd
Stevensville, MD
All are welcome!
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Sign up Now for Fall
EfM Class
Every one of us is called to ministry. The Education for Ministry (EfM) program provides people with the education to carry out that ministry. We start in September and meet once a week until May. As lay people we face the challenging task of interpreting the richness of the church's faith in a complex and confusing world. We need a theological education that supports our faith and teaches us to express our faith in day-to-day events. The EfM program is preparation for the ministry to which we all are called. EfM is a four-year program: Old Testament, New Testament, History, and Theology.
We are now recruiting for the Fall where we will do both Zoom and In-person meetings (we hope for in person!). For more information, please contact one of our mentors: efm@ccpki.org
Adele Sadiq (410-924-3313), Bluette Blinoff (610-212-6366), Ann Sieracki (302-547-5692), or Connie Clark (502-235-9674)
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Ways to Support Christ Church
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Electronic Giving: Click Here
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Text to Give by texting CCPKI to 73256
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Bank: Have your bank send a check or make an ACH transfer
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By Check: CCPKI 830 Romancoke Rd. Stevensville MD 21666
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Christ Church Parish Kent Island| 410-643-5921 | office@ccpki.org | ccpki.org |
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