Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. |
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And our grief ...
We are asked, as beloved of God, to hold, what appears at first pass, to be opposites. Always and yet we have in many years past been able to focus on the gift of love only. The gift of the love that comes down at Christmas, God Emmanuel. And not so much the grief that often accompanies our love, God’s love. The more we love, the more we are open to loss, to pain.
We have in this age and time perfected avoiding discomfort. I write this with the most kindness. With the most love, recognizing the life we have all lived since March and possible before.
On Monday, December 21 at 7 pm on Zoom https://zoom.us/j/92026140821 we will offer a Longest Night liturgy. Our hope is to bring hope to those experiencing loss, grief, and pain even in the joyous time of Advent and the coming of Christ.
Our service is scheduled at the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. And will include advent hymns of hope in the presence of mystery, the lighting of the Advent wreath, liturgy, and prayer. Our liturgy hopes to acknowledge the anxiety, pain, grief and suffering in our world while offering comfort, love, and the grace of God reminding us we are never alone.
Well-beloved, this year, in light of the Pandemic, racial injustice, and political uncertainties, many are experiencing deep anxiety, sadness, loss of loved ones, loss of routine, loss of the ability to hold traditional gatherings. These feelings are normal! Yes, normal reactions to the uncertainty confronting us daily. I expect that for some of us and some of those we love, the distress is often overwhelming. It is more important than ever to recognize our distress and to spread hope with a liturgy of consolation and hope.
Rev. Alison+
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Rector Search
Committee Update
It is hard to believe that it has been eight months since we began our journey to call a new rector to Christ Church. When the Rector Search Committee began the process, our diocesan consultant advised us that an average rector search would take between twelve to eighteen months. We are currently on track to install our next rector by May of 2021, which is twelve months from the beginning of our process. This accelerated timeline demonstrates that each member of our Search Committee has been dedicated to creating both a thorough and efficient process.
Our full-time rector position was posted on the Episcopal News Service for a 60-day period, and we have received EIGHTEEN applicants! This is a tremendous response to the vision and mission we laid out in our Parish Profile. As you can see from the timeline below, the Search Committee has now entered the interview phase of our rector search. Amazingly, despite the challenges of the pandemic, the committee is better at Zoom calls, learning to get to know each other without meeting in person, and even finding advantages to interviewing within the new restrictions. The committee has reviewed each candidate’s cover letter, resume, and Office for Transition Ministry portfolio, we have listened to sermons for each candidate, discussed each candidate as a group, and selected the best candidates for formal interviews. Each of our interviews is scheduled for two hours and focuses on the critical skills that you prioritized in the parish profile survey. We will go through a similar process for our final candidates moving to the second round of interviews.
The members of the Rector Search Committee have made the commitment of their time and dedicated themselves to complete a discerning search for a new rector. All members of our search committee have made their pledge for 2021, and we sincerely thank all of you who have joined us in making your pledge as well.
To those who have not yet pledged for 2021, please know your dollars will help advance our committee’s efforts in identifying and successfully installing our next rector and will demonstrate your continued stewardship of our beloved parish home. We prayerfully invite you to join us in supporting the ongoing ministries of Christ Church, our dedicated staff, the maintenance needs of our parish facility, and the future of God’s work in this community.
Our committee appreciates your spiritual and prayerful support.
Gratefully submitted,
Your Rector Search Committee
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Ways To Give!
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Pledge now for 2021 at pledge.ccparish.org
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Online Giving This safe and flexible option is the easiest way to give at Christ Church! https://onrealm.org/ccparish/Give
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Text to Give Text ‘CCPARISHGIVE’ and the $ amount you want to give to 73256. Click the Link. Complete your Gift.
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Mail a Check to PO Box 447, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
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1060 Chandler Road, PO Box 447, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
503-636-5618
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