Parish News & Updates
My soul waits for the Lord,
more than watchmen for the morning, *
more than watchmen for the morning.
Psalm 130:5
 
From Uncertainty to Hope

One of the gifts of the Psalms is the vast spectrum of feelings and emotions they contain. Sunday’s Psalm 130 fits into the darker side of this spectrum. It may also offer a helpful expression for today.

The Lectionary gives us this individual lament on Sunday to echo the tragic story of Absalom, King David’s third son, who death we hear about in the First Reading this morning. Like much of David’s story in 2 Samuel, Absalom’s life is filled with sibling rivalry, rape, murder, and armed revolt. (I sometimes think fans of Game of Thrones should know that the Bible is every bit as intense!)
Anyway, Psalm 130 is a cry of the heart coming from “out of the depths” of despair. The Psalmist expresses hope that in the darkest portion of the night, the possibility of dawning light is there. But we must wait on the Lord.

This year’s Olympics have reminded us of the crushing effects of uncertainty and waiting. A number of athletes have acknowledged how the year’s delay has affected their mental health and sense of security. Additionally, the absence family and fans at the games has also battered these otherwise strong individuals. On Monday Morning I watched an interview with Four-time World Champion Surfer Clarissa Moore, who looked at the surf in the final hours of competition and said “I can’t do this”. Then, after she gave herself time to breathe, she went out and won the gold.

Our well-being depends not only on food, sleep, and exercise, but also on feeling, reflecting, and hope. We can benefit from a pause, now and then, to find our balance and establish where we are right now before we try to move on.

The Psalmist also reminds us that our deep desire for God, will not be left unfilled. God knows our need and will provide. We must watch, “more than dawn-watchers watch for the dawn” as Robert Alter translates the Hebrew. Pause, breathe, and rely on God to provide the rest. Psalm 130 is a good place to pause.

Peace,
Mark +
 
Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Important Worship Update

In response to the recently updated CDC guidance on increasing cases of COVID-19, Christ Church leadership has revisited our mask policy. Effective immediately, out of an abundance of caution, masks will be required for indoor worship services and large gatherings.  As conditions change with the evolution of the pandemic, this policy may be revised.
This Sunday's Worship Service

Please pray for: Robin Pender, Camilla Parrott, Anna Sisson, Dian Rowe, Danny Brown, Scott & Lynn Clark, Sharon McCain, Lynne Benton, Susan V., Kayla, Bill & Margie Campbell, Nancy King, Kevin Parks, Chalk Jewell, Tommy Pham, Michel Sipes, Susan Fralic, Juan Mendoza, Susan Fralic, Jack Wright, Bob Dean & Family, John Justis, Bob Hutchison, Carol Holland (RIP)-Caroline Aland & Family, Bob Willis, Chris, Deny

Prayer Requests can be sent to prayer@ccpki.org
Serving Chart


Serving In Person for Sunday, August 8th

Lectors: Maria Jones, Caroline Aland
Eucharistic Minister: Bob Rosekrans
Ushers: Leslie Schneider, Mike Herold
Greeters: Charlie Mead & Kathy Sells
Altar Guild: Sherry Lissitz, Lois Rys, Dot Deren, Cara Fehrenbacher

Recording the Online Service

Readers: ​Kathy Sells, Dick Sells
Eucharistic Ministers: Mike Herold & Dick Sells

Serving In Person for Sunday, August 15th

Lectors: Keith Fulmer, Carole Katrinic
Eucharistic Minister: Liza Hamill
Ushers: Jordan Swonger, Bill Vanderbok
Greeters: Susie Reckord & Colleen Minahan
Altar Guild: Betsy Sipes, Tom Christensen, Lynne Shand, Patti Snyder

Recording the Online Service

Readers: ​Goldey Vansant, Helen Vansant
Eucharistic Ministers: Liza Hamill & Charlie Mead

Serving In Person for Sunday, August 22nd

Lectors: Mike Parker, Betsy Sipes
Eucharistic Minister: Jim Lipsner
Ushers: Eric and Linette Hummel
Greeters: Caroline & Tim Aland
Altar Guild: Sally Lewis, Maria Jones, Eileen Shreve, Anne Tyler

Recording the Online Service

Readers: ​Bob Thompson, Dottie Wilson
Eucharistic Ministers: Dick Sells & Lois Vanderbok

Serving In Person for Sunday, August 29th

Lectors: Kathy Sells, Adele Sadiq
Eucharistic Minister: Verna Downey
Ushers: Bob Rosekrans, Charlie Schwan
Greeters: Maria Jones and Molly Cannon
Altar Guild: DeeDee & Kevin McCracken, Carole Tulip, Gini Wathen

Recording the Online Service

Readers: ​Tom Christensen, Betsy Sipes
Eucharistic Ministers: Mike & Ruthanne Herold

If you are unable to serve, please find a replacement
and contact the Parish Office.
DONATIONS NEEDED!!
 
The Grasonville Food Pantry serves 10 to 12 clients each Tuesday and Friday. This critical resource primarily serves seniors who do not have transportation, or the ability to leave their area for groceries. Grasonville is a bit of a food desert for those who do not have transportation or mobility.
 
During the height of the pandemic, Christ Church Kent Island received deliveries of food from the FDA and the Maryland Food Bank. Lately, we have not received these deliveries, but the need continues. Our supplies are rapidly dwindling, and we need your help!
 
Please consider adding a few items to your grocery cart every time you shop and dropping them off once a month or at Sunday service for our Grasonville sisters and brothers. A cart is located at the church where we will gladly receive your donations. Items such as pasta sauce, pasta, canned meat or fish, canned vegetables and fruits, hearty soups, rice and cereal are most needed. Remember that financial donations can also be placed in the wooden box in the blue shopping cart. As always, we appreciate any and all donations!
 
For information, contact Juanita 410-310-0139 or foodpantry@ccpki.org
 
Race and Reconciliation Book Discussion
You are invited to read Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson, and discuss it with a group of parishioners on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 7 p.m. by Zoom. Feel free to invite friends to join us in the discussion.
 
Caste describes racism in the United States as an aspect of a caste system – a society-wide system of social stratification characterized by notions such as hierarchy, inclusion and exclusion, and purity. Wilkerson does so by comparing aspects of the experience of American people of color to the caste systems of India and Nazi Germany, and she explores the impact of caste on societies shaped by them, and their people. 

Caste has been included in several lists of best books of 2020, including the Washington Post, Time, and NPR. The New York Times described the book as "an instant American classic and almost certainly the keynote nonfiction book of the American century thus far." To hear Wilkerson talk about this book, click here or here.  For more information, contact Dottie Wilson at 615-478-2366.
 
The Return of our Music Ministry-Mark Your Calendars! 
Gary Van Essen, Minister of Music 

I am excited to let you know that we are planning for a full return for our Music Ministry this fall.  Highlights include: 
  • The return of our Praise Band beginning on Camp Wright Sunday, 9/12.  After Camp Wright Sunday, the Praise Band will continue to lead worship services approximately once a month! 
  • The return of our Parish Choir, beginning on Sunday 9/19.  The Parish Choir will lead worship services each week! 
  • Special concerts and events, including a Broadway Cabaret (Saturday, 10/16/21 at 7 p.m.), the return of the Westminster Ringers (Saturday 12/11/21 at 7 p.m.) and a concert by a Tyler Canonico, a phenomenal young organist (Friday 3/25/22 at 7 p.m.).  You can get more information about these concerts by visiting the concerts page (under “ministries” then “music”) on our website! 

As always, new members are welcome in our Parish Choir and Praise Band.  We are working within health guidelines and the recommendations of the CDC and American Choral Directors Association to ensure everyone’s safety, so some parts of our Music Ministry might look a little different this year but our praise will remain the same.  Feel free to contact me (music@ccpki.org) if you have any questions or suggestions.   
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)
Ways to Support Christ Church

  • Electronic Giving: Click Here
  • Text to Give by texting CCPKI to 73256
  • Bank: Have your bank send a check or make an ACH transfer
  • By Check: CCPKI 830 Romancoke Rd. Stevensville MD 21666
Tour of Kennard African American
Cultural Heritage Center on August 9

You are invited to join the Sacred Ground group on Monday, August 9 at 1:30 p.m. for a guided tour of the Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center (KAACHC) at 410 Little Kidwell Avenue in Centreville. KAACHC is home to the African American History Museum, which chronicles African American life in both Queen Anne’s County and the nation, with an emphasis on the period when Kennard High School operated, 1936-1966. A photo of the school in 1936 appears here. 
The school was named for Lucretia Kennard, who was appointed in 1919 as “Supervisor of Colored Schools” in Queen Anne’s County. She recruited teachers, developed curricula and set high goals for the schools to achieve. Kennard also was instrumental in inspiring the community around her to support her cause. Kennard dedicated her life to establishing a black high school.

The museum’s exhibits include pictures and artifacts highlighting African America culture in education, occupation, military, business, and civic life during that era. The exhibits also include recorded histories of KHS students, teachers, and local citizens of that era.

If you would like to attend, please email or call Dottie Wilson so that we can tell our guide how many people to expect.  
Christ Church Parish Kent Island| 410-643-5921 | office@ccpki.org | ccpki.org