Welcome to the Christ Church e-Communicator |March 18, 2020
This weekly email gives you the most up-to-date parish information.
Please forward it to a friend. If you wish to contribute or comment, please email admin@christchurchcoronado.org.

You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope.
THOMAS MERTON

Important News for the Parish
Dear Christ Church Family:

Greetings! I pray that you are well and were able to participate in Morning Prayer this past Sunday via live-stream. A special thanks to Paul Laedlein, Charlette Preslar, Geoff Graham, and Sarah Goodwin for helping to ensure we had the opportunity to worship together, albeit virtually.

In recent days, the COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us once again just how interconnected we are as a human family. It is true – we are one world and one family.
Please know that the decisions we have made regarding church and school closures are guided by the most up-to-date advice we have received from health experts and from our leaders in authority. The welfare of ALL remains first and foremost in our planning.

Regrettably, the loss of “gathering together” as the body of Christ has proved difficult for all of us who have great love and affection for one another. However, I would encourage us to find new and innovative ways to stay connected. The church staff is creating a phone tree so that we can reach out to those most vulnerable and at risk. May we continue to plan ways to offer and receive support.

Our continuing challenge is to find creative ways to maintain community. There is no doubt, plenty of ways that we can stay connected even while we are physically apart. Our plan as of today (which could very well change) is to offer the following: (1) The Service of Healing with Holy Eucharist (virtual) on Thursday, March 19th at 10:00 a.m. We will provide instructions for how to connect to this service using Zoom. (2) Next Sunday, March 22nd – we will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 10:00 a.m. This will once again be a live-streamed service.

Please join me in praying for all who are suffering amid this unprecedented health crisis. May our prayers include all health care professionals and others who are tasked with oversight and great responsibility. I pray that we will continue to model the example of Christ in all things asking: “What does the Lord require of me in this most trying and difficult of times.”

Above all else, let us refuse to give in to fear for we know that “perfect love casts out all fear.” May we strive to know the Lord’s good and perfect will – immersing ourselves in His love for all people. May we remember that the Lord is with us always, even to the ends of the earth and that absolutely NOTHING can separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ, our Lord.


My continued thoughts and prayers for you and your loved ones.
Fr. Michael+

For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Office Update
Is the parish office open?
As we continue to exercise great caution, our church staff will be working remotely for at least the next two weeks. In fact, Fr. Michael may have to self-quarantine due to a recent visit with his daughter who is experiencing symptoms of the virus.

Therefore, in the event of a pastoral or any emergency – you can reach Fr. Michael directly at (719) 237-8014. For any other business or personal non-emergency issues you can contact Christie Tugend , parish administrator, at admin@christchurchcoronado.org.

If you leave a voicemail message on the office phone it may take us a little time to get back to you so please be patient.


Stewardship Update
What about my contributions?
In light of suspending all worship service gatherings and the cancellation of all outside groups meeting at Christ Church it's important to remember to continue being faithful stewards of our time, talent, and treasure.

As you can imagine, even though we are not meeting physically, and the staff is working remotely – the financial obligations of the parish continue . In the absence of meeting together, please be faithful with your pledges.

Now is the time to consider alternate avenues of giving. You can make your pledge donations and contributions via checks mailed to the parish office, automatic credit card processing, direct ACH debit at your bank, or you can make your donations online .  If you’ve not given electronically in the past and want to consider it now, please contact Christie Tugend or Glover Ferguson and they’ll be happy to help you get things setup.


Communications Update
How will we stay connected?
It is so important that our Christ Church family remain connected. We need to not only impart information about the parish and day school, but ensure that all members of our parish family are well and have the help they may need.

If you are reading this eCommunicator you know that we will provide at least weekly editions that will bring you up-to-date with Christ Church news. Occasionally we issue important "e-blasts" that contain information that warrants immediate attention. So please watch for your emails from Christ Church.

In addition, we have created a closed Facebook group - We Are Family - Christ Church Coronado - to post photos and videos, to develop a platform for us to communicate on a more immediate and interactive level. If you are a Facebook user look for an invite to join We Are Family - Christ Church Coronado or click the link for the group and request to join.

Not all of our family members are "connected" to technology. Because it is extremely important for us to include them in our communications, we are in the process of creating small groups and phone trees to ensure that EVERYONE in the parish is looked after. You will know more about these in the coming days. We hope that all parishioners will be willing to connect with one-another on this level.

Worship and Formation Update
Will we worship and learn?
Sunday services, for the next few weeks, will take the form of Morning Prayer, Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. We hope that you'll tune in via the live-stream and worship "together."

Fr. Michael, Deacon Tom, and Charlette Preslar are working on a variety of methods to bring parishioners together for additional offerings both for worship and Christian formation. It's likely that some of these will take place via Zoom. Zoom is a video-conferencing company that helps companies with online meetings, conferences, webinars and more. We're to able to utilize their services to stay connected. See more about this below.

This Thursday's Healing Service
...and how do I participate?
Our first Zoom adventure will be this Thursday's Healing Service - March 19 at 10:00 a.m. Here is the link to j oin us for the service via Zoom - https://zoom.us/j/928988935

If you are a Zoom beginner it's best to join via computer. This may seem daunting but give it a try...we're all going to be so tech saavy! Follow the link below for instructions on how to Zoom!


Youth & Family Ministry Update
What's happening with our children?
The children are out of school, an essential part of their lives academically and socially. Whether elementary, middle or high school, Christ Church youth stay connected with youth groups and Family First Sunday events. Charlette Presler, youth and family ministry director, is working diligently and developing many options for youth and families to maintain their parish connection and connections with one another.

Tuesday morning she initiated a Zoom call with families to talk with children at home, learning what they were up to, connecting them with one another, teaching a bit about St. Patrick. She followed up with crafts, activities and games to do at home! She will continue these types of connections with the middle and high school youth, connecting them with each other and youth around the diocese.

Follow the links below to discover what new adventures Charlette has planned to help us be community even when we are apart.



Christ Church Day School Update
Classes cancelled, but staff has a plan
Last Friday it was evident that CCDS classes would be cancelled for an undetermined about of time, Nancy Funk, head of school, and her amazing staff were swift to swing into action.

Monday morning Nancy met with teachers to develop a distance learning strategy. Teachers got to work creating lessons plans, take-home packets, opportunities for online learning and classroom check-ins. Aides arrived to assist with copying and gathering books and materials. Each student had a bag ready for them to pick up this morning with all that they will need to study at home for the next week. At that time teachers will refresh the materials for a second pick-up and so on....

The entire day school staff realizes the importance school plays in maintaining connection and continuity in our students lives. Kudos to the families that will work at home assisting their children with their studies.

This certainly will be an exciting new adventure - distance learning is here now and the school is doing an amazing job of exploring all of the resources available to make learning interesting, engaging, and fun.

Go Dolphins! Good work everyone!

Day School "Cyber" Gala Update
Support your school - bid online now
Well it's obvious the day school gala scheduled for this Saturday will not take place. It has been postponed until the fall and all tickets that were purchased will be honored at the event. In the meantime, you can still support CCDS by participating now in their virtual auction. You can bid online for an array of items including:
  • SUP from Isle Surf
  • Beach Cruiser from Hollands.
  • 6th grade package for the Grand Hyatt Manchester
  • Penthouse stay with breakfast and dinner included.
  • Passes to Comic-Con and
  • Season passes for the Del Mar Racetrack.
  • Lots and lots of special wine

Please take a peak!! We are offering curbside delivery of items as well. The auction ends on Sunday 22nd March at 9:00 pm.  View the items and place your bids here .
Call Committee Update
Are we still moving forward?
As you know, the Call Committee has been working diligently to create both the Parish Profile and the Portfolio. The profile will reside on the website for all to view. It gives potential candidates detailed information on the who, what, when, where, and why on Christ Church. The portfolio is the job description that gives the candidate all he/she should need to know about the position.

Both of these documents are essentially ready to go. The committee is awaiting the go ahead from the Diocese, which we imagine will come fairly soon. It is everyone's hope that current circumstances will not cause too much of a delay in the process.

Beware of scams
How to make good choices
It's sad to say but in circumstances such as we currently find ourselves in there are those people who will take advantage. They may contact you by phone, email, mailbox, in person, or by social media.

Please beware of and do not reply to questionable requests for money or assistance. Deal only with known entities and always take time to consider your actions. If you are unsure, perhaps reach out to a good friend and/or confidant to get their opinion on what you should do. We want everyone to stay safe from unscrupulous individuals whose only purpose is to deceive you for their own gain.


Weekly Events

All weekly events at Christ Church have been cancelled or put on hiatus until further notice.
Quick Links


Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and guide the minds of those who shall choose a rector for this parish that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries. Amen

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