Dear Friends in Christ,

I've been fascinated by a series of articles in the New York Times related to Americans moving away from religion: the scale of the issue, the reasons for the shift and the consequences, both for the Church and for the individuals and families who have left. I found the last article in the series, especially interesting. The author has interviewed dozens of sociologists and the consensus is that, so far, there is no other group that seems to be able to give the same kind of support as a church, temple or mosque. 

• "Phil Zuckerman, a professor of sociology and secular studies at Pitzer College put it this way: 'I can go play soccer on a Sunday morning and hang out with people from different races and different class backgrounds, and we can bond. But I’m not doing that with my grandparents and my grandchildren.' A soccer team can’t provide spiritual solace in the face of death, it probably doesn’t have a weekly charitable call and there’s no sense of connection to a heritage that goes back generations. You can get bits and pieces of these disparate qualities elsewhere, he said, but there’s no 'one-stop shop' — at least not right now."

After the service on Sunday, a parishioner expressed this same sentiment in different words, wishing there was a way to explicitly engage the thousands of people who live around the church with a spiritual message that many may have never heard: "You have been burned by spiritual traditions which are judgemental, defensive, angry. Come into a new spiritual space where you can be just as you are."

I give thanks for the abundant gifts of hospitality in this local parish. And I hope and pray and dream of further harnessing those gifts to be a force for human connection and divine grace for so many more. 

With Hope and Peace,

Seth+



Sunday - July 2, 2023

Outdoor Service weather permitting

8am service Holy Eucharist, Quiet service

9:30 service* - Holy Eucharist, Music with congregational singing. Held in the garden weather permitting

*This service is also live-streamed on

 and on the Christ Church website.

Just to be sure we don't run out of chairs for our guests,

feel free to bring a folding chair from home!

________________________________________________

Serving This Sunday: July 2, 2023

8:00 am Service

Greeter/Usher: Tom Watson

Acolyte/Reader:  Bonnie Thomson

9:30 am Service

Vestry Greeter: Penny Cruse and Derek Riley

Ushers: Beth Durant, Josh Currier

Newcomer Host: Margaret Cooper

Lector: Maureen McCabe Prayer Reader: Donna Recht

Eucharistic Ministers: Jennifer Jetton, Betsy Head, Tom Aldridge

Have a Safe and Happy Fourth of July!

In our FORUM Archives:

• FORUM 05-21-23 Christ Church Legacy:

Who was on the Land Before Us?

• FORUM 04-30-23 Steve Paulson - Bridging Science and Spirituality

• FORUM 04-23-23 Dr. Jerald Mast Key - Factors Driving Polarization in the U.S.

• FORUM 03-12-23 Sojourner Truth House - Through the Years

• FORUM 02-26-23 Rev. Amy Heimerl - Inside Hope - finding the child inside

Outreach Cat says:

THANK YOU!

We received overwhelming support from the parish for our school supplies drive. The Outreach committee is busy assembling the backpacks for delivery to All Peoples on Sunday. 

THANK YOU!

Thank You to all. 135 meals served on June 19. 

Next date: July 19

URGENT NEED:

Canned pasta sauce

Canned pasta: Ravioli, Spaghettios,

also:Spam, Tuna Helper,

and Black- eyed Peas

Due to the higher than normal family count (65-85) the last 4-6 weeks. All Peoples Pantry could use our help. Please donate!

NEW Volunteer Opportunity for all!



Pantry Help needed

All Peoples Church Pantry distributes food on Wednesdays 11-1pm.

Brian needs help during that time.

Please email Brian at  if you are available.

Don’t forget to sign up for the summer feasts

which will be handled via email for the summer.

Please contact Kathy or Denise

Featured Feasts for JUNE - JULY

• Soul Food Dinner – plenty of spots left!
• BBQ and pool party

Click here for details

Check out our new thermometer in the Good Shepherd room

and help put us over the top.

Week 5: Summer Creation Care: Ways to care for creation

Summer Green Team Climate Care: 12 weeks of Questions to Ponder and Act Upon

There are many ways we can be mindful of and care for creation in our daily lives. The book of Genesis 2:15 describes God’s many acts of creation, saying “the Lord God put people into the Garden of Eden to ‘tend’ and the ‘watch over’ it.” In the original Hebrew, these two word are avad and shamar, which often appear in reference to God watching over and protecting the people. God gifted us an abundance of natural resources with the responsibility to steward them with utmost care for the flourishing of all life.

Questions to ponder and act upon:

1 What are things you find easy to do to care for the earth?

2  What actions are more challenging?

3 What would make some of those things easier to do?

4  How can we encourage one another to practice these simple steps and integrate them into our lives as a community?

Handing Down the Faith Sundays

are designed to encourage deeper understanding of and more engagement with the liturgy for children. The clergy will offer brief explanations and invite children to participate and observe in specific ways. All children of any age and ability are welcome to participate as they feel comfortable.

Next Handing Down the Faith Sunday: July 9th

Next Month's Theme:

 Joy Mast and "All about TREES!"

Family Creation Club!

Please join us next month, Tuesday, July 11th at 6 PM and every 2nd Tuesday of the Month. Hosted at the Urban Ecology Center by the children's ministry and the Green Team.

Check Air Quality: fire smoke.ca

Bike to Church/Blessing of Bikes recap:

On behalf of Team Wellness, many thanks to Betsy Head for coordinating the Bike to Church/Blessing of the Bikes with Father Seth, Father Oswald and Deacon Nancy. We had 19 bikes (including one scooter) participate in the blessing! 

Many thanks to all of you for biking/scooting to church :)

Thanks to Ira for the photo!

Summer Patio Open!

CCLC Happy Hour Thursdays

Every Thursday at Lyn Slater's home -

6350 N. Lake Dr. WFB at 4:30 pm

Christ Church Ladies Connections is open to all women at Christ Church. Please join us on any Thursday that works for you. No need to RSVP, just come when you can. We'd love to see you!

 

N/A beverages available; wine $3.

Additionally, during most weeks in the summer, Lyn receives flowers from a friend's farm. They will be outside her front steps for people to take some home or give to others. Bring a container if you would like to make an arrangement on the spot!

If you would like to receive the group email which is sent weekly, please contact Kathy Stanford with any questions.