The Christ Church Community Update
For Sunday, May 30, 2010
Tim Safford about An Altar in the World
Whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith, you are welcome at Christ Church, as you are, to receive the blessings of God so freely given.
Greetings!

Pentecost Sunday was truly glorious and Spirit-filled.  Above is the a portion of the picture that Jim Abbott took as we entered the new atrium of Neighborhood House for the first time.  The full picture is on display in the atrium, if you can't find yourself in the picture above.

We return to our regular schedule this Sunday with services at 9 and 11 AM and the Rector's Forum (Bible Study) at 10:10 AM.  After the 11 AM service, in observance of Memorial Day, we will convene in the Christ Church Burial Ground (at 5th and Arch) for ice tea and lemonade and a brief ceremony honoring the many veterans buried in that hallowed ground.

Remember that our annual dinner with Congregation Mikveh Israel is Tuesday, June 8 (details below).  The relationship between Philadelphia's first synagogue and Christ Church dates back more than 250 years.  This annual fellowship dinner began immediately after World War II to embody peace and reconciliation in Jewish-Christian relations after the horrors of the holocaust.  This year, we gather at the synagogue (on 4th between Arch and Market), and next year we'll host at Christ Church.  RSVP to the dinner by letting Cecilia Wagner know, and she'll inform the folks at Congregation Mikveh Israel.

Timothy Safford

 

Prayers for Memorial Day

On Sunday, May 30, following the 11:00A.M. Service, the congregation is invited to the Christ Church Burial Ground at 5th and Arch Streets for Memorial Day prayers, refreshments and a tour.

 

Organ Recital at St. David's Church in Wayne

Diane Meredith Belcher will be a featured recitalist on the Spring Concert Series at St. David's Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA on Friday, June 4 at 7:30P.M.  The program will celebrate the works of Robert Schumann at the occasion of the 200th Anniversary of his birth.  For additional information or directions, please go to the church's website at www.stdavidschurch.org.

 

Baptized, Confirmed, Received or Reaffirmed

With the upcoming visitation by Bishop Allen Bartlett scheduled for Sunday, June 6, Christ Church congregants have the opportunity to be Baptized, Confirmed, Received or Reaffirmed in their faith.  If you or a friend or family member are interested, please contact Cecilia at 215.922.1695, ext. 21 or cwagner@christchurchphila.org for more information.

 

Baptisms at Christ Church 2010 - 2011

June 6 at 11AM (Bishop's Visitation), September 19 (Ministry Sunday), October 24 at 11AM (Children & Youth Sabbath), October 31 at 9AM (All Saints' Day Celebration), January 9 (The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ), April 24 (Easter Sunday).  If you would like to have a baptism for yourself or your child, please contact the Rev. Susan Richardson at the church office.

 

Bishop's Blend Coffee, Tea and Honey!

Our Outreach Committee offers Bishop's Blend Coffee, tea, and honey, for sale the first Sunday of the month after Services. The proceeds of this special organic coffee, grown under fair-trade conditions, will support the work of the Episcopal Relief and Development programs.

 

Christ Church Gardeners

The volunteer gardeners will gather for their next work day on June 12 at 10:00A.M.  Please join us in the North Garden.  Newcomers are always welcome.  We hope to see you there. Questions?  Please contact George Niedermayer at niedy711@aol.com.

 

 

SAVE THE DATE

 

Tuesday Evening

June 8, 2010

 

An Evening of Fellowship

 

Congregation Mikveh Israel

and Christ Church

 

At

 

44 North 4th Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

Look for your invitation soon!

 

 

Sandwiches For The Homeless

Come join the crew of sandwich makers who monthly make 350 bologna sandwiches for the shelter at St. Mary's.  We gather next on Saturday, June 19, 8:30-9:30am. Kids love to help, too!  Questions?  Please contact Wayne Christman at waynechristman@comcast.net.

 

Second Annual Family Retreat - SAVE THE DATE!

The 2nd annual Christ Church Family Retreat will be October 1, 2, and 3, held again at the rustic Quaker retreat center called Camp Dark Waters on the Rancocas Creek in Medford, New Jersey, in the Pinelands only about 17 miles from Philly.  Last year, families of all shapes and sizes had a blast, staying in cabins on its 15 acres, cooking meals together in the kitchen, and enjoying structured activities as well as plenty of downtime with the camp's canoes, rope course, trails, basketball, ping-pong tables, etc.  The cost will be similar to last year: approximately $35-$40 per person for the entire weekend, plus an additional small donation to the cost of meals and facilitators.  We'll know a definite figure by mid-summer.  Planning is under way; many thanks to Lynn Safford and Cecilia Wagner for again offering their leadership skills to head up this event.  For now, please contact the Rev. Susan Richardson with any particular questions, and rsvp to Cecilia Wagner (cwagner@christchurchphila.org) to reserve a space for the weekend or to let us know of any particular ways you'd like to be involved in making this happen.  Plan ahead for this special weekend of fellowship in the beauty of early autumn.

 


Telephone: 215.922.1695