Coming Up at Christ Church

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Atriums 1 & 2 and Youth Group Begin September 13

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children ages 4 to 10, and Journey to Adulthood for those 11 and up, begin the season on September 13. Atrium 1 (ages 4-6) is from 9 to noon, while Atrium 2 (ages 7-10) and youth group meet from 10:10 to 10:50. For questions, contact Leza Kramarenko for Atriums and Chris Alvarez for youth group. Bring the kids to get to know each other and their teachers for the year!

St. Francis Day Celebrations
October 4

We come together to embody the example of Francis of Assisi in worship, service, and blessing of creation.

11:00 a.m. - Sunday worship focusing on the inspiration and message of Francis of Assisi
1:00 - 3:00 - Following Francis's lifetime example of service to the poor, a parish-wide Scavenger Hunt in the streets and alleys of Old City, raising money and awareness for Project H.O.M.E.
4:00 - In the garden, the Blessing of the Animals, in the tradition of Francis's love of all creation.

Our Fall Program: Finding God on the Altar of the World

Our 12-week Tuesday evening program this fall will grapple with the basic spiritual questions: How do I encounter God day to day? How do I find God on the altar of my real life? Each week, drawing on the wisdom in Barbara Brown Taylor's book, An Altar in the World, we will work in small groups to explore spiritual practices such as "Waking Up to God," "Feeling Pain," "Living with Purpose," and "Pronouncing Blessings." The program begins Tue., Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Childcare provided with advance RSVP. Questions? Contact the Rev. Susan Richardson, and to register, contact Cecilia Wagner.

Coming Up @ Christ Church

Worship at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Christ Church picks up its hot-weather rhythm with Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m., and either Eucharist or Morning Prayer at 11 a.m. Click here for the lectionary readings. During the 10:10 hour, come enjoy treats, lemonade, and each other's company in the North Garden.

Christ Church Among the 2009 Grant Recipients of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

Christ Church Philadelphia has received a grant to expand its development of a range of Anglican musical and liturgical resources in worship. The Worship Renewal grant was awarded by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW), Grand Rapids, Michigan.

"After the Revolutionary War," the grant proposals says, "when the first emergent Episcopalians were determined to worship in a uniquely American way, though still in harmony with their Anglican forebears, they presented this revolutionary idea in the front of their new Prayer Book: 'It is a most invaluable part of that blessed "liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free," that in his worship different forms and usages may without offence be allowed, provided the substance of the Faith be kept entire.' Further, the forms of worship 'may be altered, abridged, enlarged, amended, or otherwise disposed of, as may seem most convenient for the edification of the people, "according to the various exigency of times and occasions."' Written in Christ Church Philadelphia in 1789, those words allowed the worship of the Episcopal Church to rise from the ashes of the Church of England. That spirit is still alive today at Christ Church, as new forms of creative and transforming worship and praise develop for a new generation of seekers are beginning to emerge in this very old, yet still revolutionary, place."

"This grant has given us a great opportunity to go deeper in exploring what Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, calls 'the mixed economy' of worship styles within one parish that may be the church's true future," adds the Rev. Susan Richardson, project director. "As part of the grant, Christ Church will be able to sponsor a workshop for both the parish and the diocese on Anglican liturgical and musical resources."

This year, the program's tenth, CICW will award almost $500,000 to support a variety of worship renewal projects in 43 churches and organizations across North America. "The proposals we receive from all over North America offer us an expansive education," says CICW director John Witvliet. "They show us how prayerful, resourceful leaders in a remarkable variety of contexts are thinking about the needs of the church and opportunities for ministry." The Worship Renewal Grants Program is generously supported by Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. Founded in 1937, the Endowment's major areas of concern are community development, education, and religion.

Old City Scavenger Hunt to Help Fight Homelessness in Philadelphia

Project H.O.M.E. remains one of Philadelphia's key organizations in helping people who struggle with homelessness and coordinating city resources. Yet many large donors, also hit by the recession, have told Project H.O.M.E. to expect smaller donations this year, and government funding may also well be cut.

We can reach out to Project H.O.M.E. and to whose whom they help. Become an Old City detective on Sunday October 4, at 1 p.m., at the Christ Church fall outreach event. Using clues and digital cameras provided by cityHUNT, a professional scavenger hunt company, we'll gather in teams of all ages to have lots of fun looking at Old City and our neighbors there in a whole new way.

To ensure we have materials for everyone, please register by September 30. Registration is required, so please visit www.christchurchphila.org/hunt to register today! The cost is $20 per person, with any additional offerings going to Project H.O.M.E.

"Life at Christ Church" Class

New to Christ Church? Curious about what the Episcopal tradition is all about? Come and share the stories that have brought you through these doorways, and reflect with clergy and fellow seekers on our life together as a faith community. Our next Life at Christ Church class is Saturday, Oct. 3, 8:30 to 2 in Neighborhood House, with breakfast, lunch, and childcare provided, with rsvp. To register, email Cecilia.